Lent: A Simple Idea for Simple Devotion

I am going to start this writeup with a question:  Is the definition of simple simple to understand?  Worded differently: can you approach the concept of simplicity with simplicity?  It seems the answer should be yes, but if simplicity were simple we would all do a better job of living it.  The Pope would not have found himself desiring simplicity later in life if simplicity were simple.  We would all be living it! Lets start digging into this by simply looking at a definition of simple.  I google searched “define simple” and the first definition presented was, “Easily understood or done; presenting no difficulties.”  That sounds like what the calculus teacher would say to the person struggling with grade ten math.  “Come on! You are making this too hard. This is simple math. It should present no difficulties for you at all.”  Usually if someone is saying to someone else “Come on! It is simple” it is because the other person is not finding something “easily understood.” Obviously, this article is not about whether or not math is simple (it’s not).  The article is about living a simple faith in a complex world. During our Sticky Faith sermon series we have been addressing the idea that Christians need to develop skills to better live a simple, resilient faith in this complex, frenetic world. A simple faith does not mean that it presents no difficulties—we know that faith presents difficulties in a world that doesn’t cater to it—and it doesn’t mean that it is easily understood. The second definition that Google gave me might make a little more sense in this regard.  This time it was “Plain, basic, or uncomplicated in form, nature, or design; without much decoration or ornamentation.”  Most of this definition I find helpful when examining a simple faith.  Our faith is plain—meaning we don’t have to add a lot to the simple truth that God loves us and gave himself for us. “Uncomplicated in form” means that we don’t have to be fancy with our faith, worship or practice. We can live out the simple realities of loving God and loving people.    “Without much decoration” means that we don’t need extra stuff—it is just clutter– to live out the call to “sell everything we have and give it to the poor.”  Uh-oh… I just made that sound the  opposite of simple. Yet remember, “God made man simple; man’s complex problems are of his own devising,” (Jerusalem Bible, Ecc. 7:30) Richard Foster writes in his book the Freedom of Simplicity: “Christian simplicity frees us from this modern mania.  It brings sanity to our compulsive extravagance, and peace to our frantic spirit… It allows us to see material things for what they are –goods to enhance life not to oppress life.  People once again become more important than possessions.  Simplicity enables us to live lives of integrity in the face of the terrible realities of our global village.” During Lent we are going to receive a call to a simple practice of simple yet resilient faith that can make a difference in our global village!  Kinnaman and Matlock reminded us in Faith for Exiles that we are seeking to help people live a resilient faith in a world (Digital Babylon) that is complex.  During this season, we should  seek practices that empty ourselves in order to slow down and enjoy God’s love and presence.  What do you need to do to declutter your life, house, day, practices? How can you simplify your life to make room for healthy practices that can deal with complexity. We are going to work on a call to simplicity with a sermon series called Less is More.  It will take a look at the call to a simplicity as a practice that leads to a way of being that radiates God’s grace and love in the world.  We will examine “More Justice, More Compassion, More Love, More Faith, More Generosity and More Prayer” using a devotional produced by TearFund one of our global partners.  Doing more starts with less– it starts with simplicity.  

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