Simplicity

The devo I wrote for PSF's email today, in case anyone's interested:

“Simple living” is a topic often discussed and emphasized in the YAV community, and one that we Nashville YAVs recently learned more about in the book we’re currently reading together. Something I’ve been thinking about since our latest discussion is the fact that living simply is not solely about living with less money or fewer belongings. It’s never a bad practice to really think about what you buy and to avoid unnecessary clutter, but simple living can equally emphasize conscientiousness regarding the things we do acquire. The book we’ve been reading mentions the Quaker tradition’s emphasis on simplicity, for example, and quotes Thomas Kelly, a Quaker leader: “Prune and trim we must, but not with ruthless haste and ready pruning knife, until we have reflected upon the tree we trim, the environment it lives in, and the sap of life which feeds it.” There isn’t an overarching rule amongst Quakers against earning or investing money. Instead exists an emphasis on analyzation and reflection by each individual. It’s all about context, and figure out what’s right for yours.

The right way for you to live simply might indeed be to trim down purchases and go through all that stuff lying around. Or maybe it’s deciding to buy fair trade foods and clothing. Perhaps, though, it doesn’t even have to do with money at all. Thomas Kelly is again quoted, this time about simplifying the way we use our time: “Too many of us have too many irons in the fire. We get distracted by...our interest in a thousand and one good things...simplicity needs to be expressed not merely in the dress and architecture and the height of tombstones but also in...opposition to the hurried, superficial tendencies of our age.”

So, take a few minutes and think about how you can simplify. You don’t have to get rid of everything in your dorm room or apartment. You don’t have to commit to never earning any money. Think about what’s right for you, and give it a try.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God--what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2)

In case you're curious, the aforementioned YAV book is Practicing Our Faith, and is edited by Dorothy Bass. Also, speaking of books, I've been sorely lacking in my efforts towards crossing things off of my literary adventure list, but I'm working on it! Still on Mere Christianity...

Love,

Allison