Outward Expressions
What might simplicity look like in practice?
Verse of the Day
“Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly.”
Today’s Devotional
This topic, of what simplicity might look like in our lives, causes me to tread lightly. We have a tendency to lean toward legalism when we are given a list of outward expressions. Or we might have a tendency to disregard the topic altogether. But Foster said something that really made me think: “Of all the disciplines, simplicity is the most visible and therefore the most open to corruption. The majority of Christians have never seriously wrestled with the problem of simplicity, conveniently ignoring Jesus’ many words on the subject. The reason is simple: this discipline directly challenges our vested interests in an affluent lifestyle.”
Ouch. Does that ring true for anyone else?
How could our simplicity be corrupted? Much like the Pharisees, we could display certain characteristics to others without having the internal faith and trust that leads to those characteristics. On the other hand, we could decide that simplicity is not required of us at all. If that is the case, why? Are we willing to challenge our ideas about affluence, wealth, status, and comfort?
Below is a list of ten potential outward expressions of simplicity. As Foster puts it, “The inner reality is not a reality is not a reality until there is an outward expression.”
- Buy things for their usefulness rather than their status. Stop trying to impress people with your clothes, or cars, or home and impress them with your life.
- Reject anything that is producing an addiction in you. Learn to distinguish between a real psychological need and an addiction. (This is not a reference to drugs or alcohol. Foster points out that we can be addicted to the news, or television, or any number of things. We should look at our reaction if we have to go without something.)
- Develop a habit of giving things away. Most of us could get rid of half our possessions without any serious sacrifice.
- Refuse to be propagandized by the custodians of modern gadgetry. (I read this at a time when I have been wanting a newer cell phone.)
- Learn to enjoy things without owning them. (He gives the example of enjoying the beach without needing to buy a vacation home.)
- Develop an appreciation for nature.
- Look with healthy skepticism at all “buy now, pay later” schemes.
- Obey Jesus’ instructions about plain, honest speech. “Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from the evil one.” (Matthew 5:37)
- Reject anything that breeds the oppression of others.
- Shun anything that distracts you from seeking first the kingdom of God.
If any of the things on this list offend you, or cause you to recoil, or are instantly disregarded – I encourage you (and me) to read today’s verse again. “Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly.” What is beneath the surface? I can give you an example. With the guidance to “Reject anything that breeds the oppression of others”, that makes me tired to think about it. It would require more effort and diligence to research where my consumer goods are coming from. I could easily tell myself that it wouldn’t really matter – in the grand scheme of things – if I was a conscientious purchaser and consumer. But if I look beneath the surface, the truth is that I don’t want to put that kind of thought and effort into my purchases. Which might also mean that I’m not being a good steward of what God has blessed me with. But if I am willing to seek God’s Kingdom first, then I can trust God to guide me through the process of allowing my inner childlike faith to be expressed through the discipline of simplicity.
Journal Prompts
Answer only the questions that seem relevant to you today.
Have you ever wrestled with simplicity and your level of affluence?
Which of the outward expressions cause you angst?
What is beneath the surface of your reaction?
How can you invite God to help you to develop inner simplicity?
How can you take small steps toward expressing inner simplicity?