The Distillery Church

Worrying about Simplicity

We read the second half of Matthew Chapter 6 as the focus of our discussion about simplicity yesterday. We were asking ourselves and each other whether the amount of stuff we have or wish we had is contributing to our worry and getting in the way of our seeking first the kingdom of God.

I wonder how different our lives would be if we were better at living in the moment – not so focussed on future possibilities (whether good or bad) that we miss the wonder of our existence, God’s bountiful goodness to us and the world around us. We reflected on the wasted hours and energy put into things outside our control – whether some earlier carelessness had already caused unseen damage to some property, whether we would be picked for a promotion or a new job after our part in the process was finished. We thought about the times we have been concerned not for the reality of our need or situation, but for others perception of it – image, status and power.

The difficulty is, of course, finding the line between care for ourselves, others and the world around us that can lead to positive action and the wholly destructive worrying when nothing can be done. Whichever side of that line we are Jesus’ message is clear: first – before acting or worrying or losing sleep – seek the kingdom and righteousness. Seek it – not wish, hope or wait for it, but seek it out, find out how God kingship over the community of believers can transform the situation.

Finally, we looked at the list of suggestions made by Richard Foster in the chapter on simplicity in his book A Celebration of Discipline. Many of us resonated with the idea of buying things for usefulness instead of status and we wrestled with the practicality of rejecting anything that breeds the oppression of others. As Westerners, our whole economy is built on the oppression of others to some extent – can we realistically reject it all? Maybe not, but we agreed that we can consume less that we do not need, be aware of the issues surrounding the things that we buy and the places we buy them and proceed carefully – not seeking first to get the best bargain or to have latest and greatest – but seeking first God’s kingdom in our lives and our world.