Focus
Prepare yourself to discern what is and what is not of God today. Still yourself so you can hear how God is calling you.
Read
45 In the hearing of all the people he said to the disciples, 46 “Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes and who love respectful greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets. 47 They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”
21 He looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the treasury; 2 he also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. 3 He said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them, 4 for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.”
Reflect
I appreciate Richard J. Foster’s description of the spiritual discipline of Simplicity. “Simplicity is an inward reality that results in an outward lifestyle. Both are necessary.” Of all the spiritual disciplines, I most crave Simplicity.
I’ve been fortunate to have traveled to many places in this world. I have learned to travel light, packing only what I absolutely need. Traveling light is good for my back, and it’s also good for my mind. There are fewer things to keep up with and fewer things to lose.
My home ought to be similar. My entire life ought to be simple. I’ve learned this from traveling with simplicity.
Simplicity helps us focus more on God and not so much on ourselves. Simplicity helps us to focus on the important things in life. When we live simply, there is less stuff around us to grab our attention. I believe that God wants us to live a simple life so that Jesus’ light can more easily shine through us to others. Our outward lifestyle becomes more like Christ.
Pray
Gracious Lord, my habit is so often to collect and hold on to worldly stuff. I want the best clothes. I want to be honored by others. I want to be noticed by other people for what I have. Help me to focus on who You are so that I might pare down my life. Help me to live in a way that best reflects You. Help me to crave the spiritual discipline of Simplicity. I know that I can live simply with Your mighty help! Amen.
Go with God!
Leave a Reply
Your email is safe with us.