Community Post: Why Simplicity is Necessary to Live in a Story that Matters

Do you ever get the sense that life is not supposed to be this way? That we are made for something more, but that our ongoing pursuits of busyness, work, and obligation are slowly draining the life out of our weary soul. No margin exists to pursue our God-given desires. And yet somewhere deep inside, our hearts long to live in the midst of a significant story.

The culture communicates that we must invest ourselves in a constant flurry of activity in order to be both relevant and significant. Yet, our never-ending to-do list is absolutely sabotaging our heart’s desire. As a result, many are choosing to say, “Enough is enough.”

Recently, my wife and I experienced one of the greatest joys this side of heaven – the birth of our son. I will never forget the overwhelming rush of emotion that blindsided me in the delivery room, as I heard our newborn’s cry for the first time. His innocent cry marked the end of one season and the dawning of a new one.

Over the last several weeks, our lives have shifted 180 degrees. Married for nearly 11 years prior to our son’s birth, my wife and I were pretty much set in our daily routine. The last seven weeks have brought about a major adjustment for us both – in many ways a much-needed return to the simplistic life.

Children have a way of resetting life and pointing us toward a story in line with God’s original design. When a child is born, he is completely at our mercy, as we are responsible for nourishing, changing, bathing, and clothing him. These acts of love take time. Hence, what I once considered “me” time has suddenly become a luxury. Now, both my wife and I freely give the majority of our most precious resource – time – over to our bundle of joy.

From meal times to taking a walk around the neighborhood, children have a way of slowing us down, as nearly all activities take twice as long as before. Out of necessity, the process of child rearing has brought us back to a life of simplicity.

Personally, I do not have the physical and mental wherewithal to volunteer for every “good” activity that the church has to offer. I no longer have time to pursue dozens of personal goals. I cannot spend money on frivolous material possessions when my child needs to be fed and clothed. And I simply don’t have the energy to work 70 hours per week.

Simplicity requires that we say “no” to “good” things.

Simplicity means that we pursue focused goals that are truly out of our heart’s desire.

Simplicity recognizes that we don’t need to purchase more stuff at the expense of life experiences.

Simplicity creates margin in our lives so that we have room to listen to God’s voice and time to reflect on our calling and life direction.

Simplicity leads us to make regular deposits in our walk with Christ, family life, work, play, finances, physical health, friendships, and personal development.

Simplicity focuses our hearts on pursuing an eternally significant role in God’s great Story.

If you spend each day feeling overwhelmed and find that you rarely have time to engage the matters of the heart, take a step back. Examine the why of what you are doing.

By returning to a life of simplicity, we open the door for our soul to be nourished, our calling to come alive, and our story to matter.

Chris Peek has a heart for exploration, adventure, and leading others to become more fully alive. As a blogger and writer, he encourages leaders to discover their life mission and live with intention at TrailReflections.com. He can often be found exploring God’s creation through hiking, biking, kayaking, traveling, and photography. Find him on Twitter @peekchris.

Simplicity at Work

In our complicated, 21st century, high-tech, high-speed world, people have begun to crave a simpler approach to life and work. In the series Simplicity at Work, The High Calling explores simplicity in the places we work and the ways we work; and, perhaps more subtly, we want to explore simplicity at work in us through a variety of stories that reveal ways people find freedom and success when they simplify. Join us for Bible reflections, featured articles, and discussion. Invite your colleagues to do the same.