After discovering what our inward realities (ie. Motivations) now we can move on to our outward lifestyle of simplicity. These outward expressions that follow are a mixture of Richard Foster's book and some of my own thoughts.
1. Buy things for their usefulness rather than their status.
2. Reject anything that is producing an addiction in you.
3. Develop a habit of giving things away.
4. Learn to enjoy things without having to own them.
5. Develop a deeper appreciation for creation.
6. Refuse to get trapped into buy now and pay later.
7. Set reasonable boundaries.
8. Identify and honor your God given priorities.
9. Learn to delegate.
Let me close with these questions: What are the inward realities that are keeping you from a simpler life? Is it performance, possessions, or popularity?
What steps do you wan to take to change your outward lifestyle?
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Sunday, October 5, 2014
SIMPLICITY part 1
Richard Foster defines simplicity this way: The Christian discipline of simplicity is an inward reality that results in and outward life style.
Inward realities can be defined as the motivating factors that cause our lives to be more complex.
Those inward realities can be captured in the 3 temptations of Jesus found in Luke 4.
The 3 realities are as follows: 1. I am what I do. (performance) 2. I am what I have. (possessions) 3. I am what others think of me. (popularity) These unhealthy motivations usually come attached to our emotional baggage and how we are wired. Therefore we must have a keen sense of self-awareness.
How do we do that?
1. Ask God. When we do, we need to be a better listener.
2. Be approachable and teachable to trusted people who will tell you the truth in love.
3. Be more transparent. We must be willing to take the mask off.
4. Consider taking "Strength Finders" or "Style of Influence" or "Meyers Briggs" tests.
5. Pray for courage.
So what temptation has a tendency to motivate you into complexity? Next time we will look at two more inward realities that lead to simplicity.
Inward realities can be defined as the motivating factors that cause our lives to be more complex.
Those inward realities can be captured in the 3 temptations of Jesus found in Luke 4.
The 3 realities are as follows: 1. I am what I do. (performance) 2. I am what I have. (possessions) 3. I am what others think of me. (popularity) These unhealthy motivations usually come attached to our emotional baggage and how we are wired. Therefore we must have a keen sense of self-awareness.
How do we do that?
1. Ask God. When we do, we need to be a better listener.
2. Be approachable and teachable to trusted people who will tell you the truth in love.
3. Be more transparent. We must be willing to take the mask off.
4. Consider taking "Strength Finders" or "Style of Influence" or "Meyers Briggs" tests.
5. Pray for courage.
So what temptation has a tendency to motivate you into complexity? Next time we will look at two more inward realities that lead to simplicity.
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