For over 20 years I've been interested in simple living. I have to say "interested" in it because I haven't always practiced it. In the blogworld, there are many popular blogs about simple and/or minimalist living. I read many of them each week. (I'll give you a sample list of blogs with links at the end of this post.)
I've read dozens of books on the topics of frugality, tightwaddery, and economical approaches to American life. Amy Dacyzyn wrote the classic Tightwad Gazette in the '90's. Amy made herself famous by encouraging people to reuse aluminum foil and teaching people how to put a plastic jug to use after the milk is gone. I've read most of Elaine St. James' books. They were much more practical for me since I identified more with Elaine than Amy. Amy lived on a farm. Elaine was a professional city girl. Elaine wrote books like Simplify Your Life, Living the Simple Life, and Inner Simplicity. All good reads and, though a little dated, worth a look.
Books on simple living with a spiritual side to them have also spoken to me. Richard Foster's Freedom of Simplicity is a classic in my opinion. Also Christopher Heuertz's more recent book Simple Spirituality has spoken to me, Beth, and Bailey (my daughter). Bailey read it first and told us about it. Books like Radical by David Platt and The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns also touch on the need for simplicity and challenge their readers to consider the over-indulgences of Americans.
I mention all of this to say that it has been on my mind a great deal lately. In my reading (books and blogs) over the past year or so, I've become even more convicted and convinced that we Americans (myself included) have too much stuff. I occasionally touch on it with posts here. Since Beth and I have become empty-nesters we've come to a point where we've decided that we don't need all of the stuff that we have. Two of the most liberating days that I've had over the past 18 months were the day I sold my motorcycle and the day I sold our boat. These things were fun for awhile but they eventually became a drag.
Americans are suckers for wanting and "needing" the latest greatest gadget or gizmo. We have fallen for the lie that is the American Dream. David Platt's book is subtitled "Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream." Platt does an excellent job of convincing us that the American Dream is not God's dream. How we ever thought that it was...I don't know. Easy access to stores, generous credit from banks, and even our own boredom and purposelessness, has caused us to have houses and yards full of stuff that may bring pleasure for awhile but eventually collect dust - while we still pay the minimum on our credit cards and look for the next great thing that will bring us temporary pleasure.
We must stop.
This is especially true for Christians (which includes most of my readers here). Why are we doing this to ourselves? This isn't what we were designed for. Do you really think that God will be pleased when all you have to show for your one and only life is that you bought a big house for your family, always kept them riding in a late model car, kept your kids in expensive clothes from the mall, and entertained them with every techno gadget possible?
I have a hard time with that. Sorry. You can click the red X on the corner of your browser now if you want, but I have to be honest.
You were made for more than this.
Which dream are you pursuing? The American Dream or God's Dream for your life?
I want to encourage you to consider what you do with your 3 T's, i.e., your time, talents, and treasures. Don't fall for the marketing ploys on TV and don't assume that one more trip to the mall will make you happy. It probably will - for a short while. Look deeper. Evaluate what you're doing with the blessings that God has given you. You are blessed to be a blessing. Think about it. Pray about it. Ask God how you can live His dream, not just the American Dream.
The sermon is over. Let's pray, sing a hymn, and go home now.
Here's a list of blogs that might interest you. I'm looking forward to unveiling a new website soon that will help readers gain a new perspective on life. More about that later!
BecomingMinimalist
RowdyKittens
mnmlist
TheSimpleDollar
Wisebread
ZenHabits
FarBeyondTheStars
No comments:
Post a Comment