How do we restore simplicity to a life that has gotten so complicated? Isaiah talked about what happens when our lives get too complicated.
Isaiah 5:8 (RSB) “Woe to those who join house to house, who add field to field, until there is no more room , and you are made to dwell alone in the midst of the land.”
Thus, woe to those who add so much to their lives that there is no room. Their lives are too busy and complex. The outcome of this is “You have to dwell alone in the midst of the land”
Isaiah 5:9-10 “In my ears the Lord of hosts has sworn, Surely, many houses shall be become desolate, even great and fine ones, without occupants. For ten acres of vineyard will yield only one bath (a little bit) of wine.”
Isaiah continues to explain that there is a point our efforts will produce little. Sometimes all our activities will produce hardly any fruit at all.
Hebrews 12:1 (TLB) “Since we have such a huge crowd of men of faith watching us from the grandstands, let us strip off anything that slows us down or holds us back…”
Hebrews 12:1(KJV) “Wherefore seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight.…”
The word “weight” describes a burden or something so heavy and cumbersome that it hinders a runner from running his race as he should. This sends a strong message to us! If we want to please God, and do something significant with our lives, we must choose to remove anything from our lives that would hinder those objectives. Simplicity is all about focusing on what’s most important to you and letting go of the rest.
According to Confucius, “Life is really simple but we insist on making it complicated.”
Rick Warren in his book “Purpose Driven Life” wrote the following: “People who don’t know their purpose try to do much – and that causes stress, fatigue and conflict. It is impossible to do everything people want you to do. You have just enough time to do God’s will. If you can’t get it all done, it means you’re trying to do more than God intended for you to do.”
Isaiah 26:3-4 (GNT) “You, Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in you. 4 Trust in the Lord forever; he will always protect us.”
“A simplified life means that what has to get done will get done. And when we pare down life to its simplest, most beautifully basic parts, we’re left with room to enjoy each other, to rest, and to truly enjoy life with all our hearts, minds, and spirits.” Emily Ley
Have a great day.