Within the Lines

Living Simply

I recently journaled what "living simply" means to me as follows:

• contented -- grateful for basic needs without excess
• plain -- life's basics without frills
• ordered -- perspective of what's truly important
• unhurried -- no need to rush
• relaxed -- time to enjoy minutes, hours, days, months, years
• hospitable -- relationships, giving oneself, strongest ambition
• humble -- a willing servant (what does God want from me today?)
• forgiving -- no extra burden/baggage
• fearless -- not thinking beyond my comprehension

As I listed these things, I saw how God's way truly is one of simplicity: unhurried, contented, unburdened.  When I walk in dependence, obedience and rest, I am walking in His will.  Anything else is flesh.  It is only the flesh that ravenously desires more, that is driven by insatiable appetite for pleasure, praise and passion.  However, the attempt to gratify the desires of my flesh only increases stress and anxiety as I try to keep up with all I thought I wanted.

So maybe all our getting back to the land, back-to-basics, originates with our spirits crying, "Abba!"