But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Matthew 6:33ESV
You may be thinking simplicity doesn’t fit into your lifestyle or schedule — it may seem impossible. Allow me to encourage and challenge you to simplify your life regardless of your circumstances or availability. Start small and begin by asking the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of your life that could be simplified. Here are some ideas:
- Downsize possessions: Go through your closet, drawers, garage, etc. and donate or sell items you don’t need or no longer use.
- Spending habits: Create a simple budget that cuts back your costs on unneeded expenses, such as excessive shopping or fast food.
- Activities: Create a list of simple activities to engage in — activities that require little to no cost or energy but still feel life-giving. This could be a walk in nature, painting, reading a book before bed or taking a minute to breathe and re-focus your eyes on God.
Life becomes much simpler when our top priority is Jesus. Rather than entangling ourselves in life’s turmoil, practice letting go and embracing simplicity. It is then that you can better enjoy life’s daily pleasures and be formed further into the image of Christ.
Calhoun also discusses how this prepares us for eternity with Jesus. There will come a day when we will be required to let go of everything on Earth, even our own breath. It will be a day of absolute freedom and simplicity.2
If you desire to learn more about simplicity or other spiritual practices, consider adding a minor in Spiritual Formation and Discipleship to your degree or attending GCU’s Spiritual Formation workshops. Fill out the form on this page to learn more.
