Preparing our Hearts for Easter: Day 3 – Simplify

An article by Frank    No Comments

In the lead up to Easter we will be putting up a new lent devotion each week day. These devotions will also be available in the discussions section of our Facebook page and will be played on New Zealand’s Rhema.

We live in a world that encourages us to accumulate material goods. In our society we are too often seen as the sum of what we own. Because of this we are drawn to wanting and getting more. The bigger and better car, the nicer house, the flasher computer, the more powerful camera, the higher paying job, the more lavish holiday and the list goes on. Because of this pursuit in our society we are often left frustrated and dissatisfied with what we have.

As we prepare our hearts for Easter, what would it look like for us to live differently? Philippians 2 describes Jesus as the one who emptied himself, taking the form of a slave – humbling himself. Are there ways we can embody this sense of reducing ourselves and shunning the extravagance that our world demands in order to live more simply.

The global recession tells us that our world needs a different model, it needs people who live within their means; it needs people who live simply. Our world needs us to show a life that is satisfied with simplicity, a life that doesn’t need the next best thing. We can demonstrate a life that is free of the bondage and slavery of the pursuit of material greatness and is focused on a bigger picture of love, friendship, service, sacrifice and meaning.

My challenge for you today is to find ways to simplify. Ride a bike instead of driving your car, have days when you don’t eat meat, take a homemade lunch, have days where you commit to not spending money at all. Find small but meaningful ways to downsize your life and model a different way of living.

Pray

Jesus, help us see our lives with eyes that are not influenced by the screams to purchase that are all around us. Help us find creative ways to simplify and live differently.

Amen