Dana Reardon - The Simple Simplicity Solution

The Simple Simplicity Solution

I was standing in the checkout line at the supermarket looking at the magazine lead articles. Of course the first one that caught my attention was Saddam Hussein and Osama Bin Laden as a couple.

But right after that I noticed that this month there were several articles on "Simplify Your life" or "Live Happier with Less." Is this a growing trend? I doubt it. Because of course the articles were fitted into these magazines between so many advertisements for things we don't need that sometimes it is hard to find the articles.

Frankly I don't think it is a trend that will catch on in this culture. First of all our economy depends on the consumer. But more because it seems pointless to give up and to simplify for the sake of it.

Jesus didn't call us to sell our possessions and give alms because He wanted us to have less. Jesus calls us to give it all away, to travel light so that we might have more. So that we might have it all. So that we might possess the kingdom.

So when we talk about simplifying in the church or giving up or living without what is not necessary, it is goal directed and not some aimless fall house cleaning which will only create a vacuum for all the things that the magazine is advertising. In fact I wonder if it is intentional. If they encourage people to get rid of what they have they will have room for all they are trying to sell us.

You are called to give up what you have so that the kingdom of God may be yours. Jesus doesn't want you to miss it in your preoccupation with stuff. You are called to rethink what you have and how you spend so that your money may be where your heart is, in the mission of the Gospel and the coming of the kingdom.

Jesus told a parable about a man who found a pearl of immeasurable price and he sold all he had to purchase it. Find the pearl and you will understand the point of all the simplifying and giving up and know the treasure that is yours to possess.

Lord,
We thank you for all that you have given us. May all that we do and all that we have reflect your love and further your kingdom.

Amen

The Rev. Dana Reardon (Mspastor@aol.com) is pastor at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, Warwick, RI. A lifelong Lutheran, she came to ordained ministry after 21 years in nursing, mostly in pediatric intensive care. She graduated from Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia in 1998 and served 4 ½ years in Upstate New York before becoming a New Englander. She is still trying to understand the accent. While in the Upstate New York Synod she chaired the Stewardship Team. That began her fascination with what makes stewards -- and more, what makes for generosity. She has three amazing daughters: Pastor Izzo says much of what she knows of life she learned from them.