" A Simpler Approach "

The Whole People of God Sunday School class has been studying Richard Foster?s book on spiritual disciplines. I entered into the study rather reluctantly. My first impression was that this would be a study too filled with fluff. Meditation and fasting are fine for folks who want to get in touch with whatever side it is they want to get in touch with ? but surely there must be better ways to spend our time than chasing around some mystical center of nirvana. There isn?t. I have found no better use of my time than this class or the reading of Foster?s book. Each week has brought new arenas of insight and opportunities for personal growth which open opportunities for increased ministry. Simply stated, the past couple of months have been transforming.

In particular the chapter on simplicity has caused a healthy does of reflection. Questions like, " What is of ultimate importance to me? How can I be set free from things? How can what I own be used to serve God? Why do I cling to the stuff I cling to? " If one travels down the road of answering those questions ? well, suffice it to say, you begin to draw some different conclusions.

I have been reminded of a conversation I had with Bob Phelps one day. I was lamenting and carrying on about all the work in the church that was tugging at my time, my money, my person. Actually, I was just being a big baby and wanting some attention. Bob doesn?t play that game too well. Some would call his approach terse. But, I think a better term is simple ? as in simplicity of life. Bob said, " Quit your crying. No matter where you are or what you?re doing or who you are, something or somebody is going to demand more form you than you think you have. Somebody is going to own you. Better that be the church, or God than anything or anyone else. "

Reading Foster?s book and wrestling with simplifying my life, has made me recall my friend?s words. Discipline has taken on a new meaning for me. Simplicity has become important. Understanding that God is pleased with humble, faithful, simple service is liberating. So often we find ourselves mired in the complexities of the decisions that we have to make. We make ourselves and our desires more important than they really are. We lose sight of the goal because we let our attention become focused on the details. We need to hear the words of Henry David Thoreau. He wrote, " Our life is frittered away be detail ... Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity! "

Or much better, the words of the prophet in Micah, chapter six: " .. What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? "

Maybe we can begin to live life that simply. Makes you wonder, doesn?t it, what could be accomplished through us?