I’ve been drawn to do some “research” on the minimalist movement in the past few days, particularly the writings of “the minimalists”—Joshua Fields Millburn and his best friend of over 20 years, Ryan Nicodemus, whose documentary “Minimalism” I had watched on Netflix (and was intrigued by) several months ago.
Because they are not obviously “Christian,” I’ve had some feelings of guilt for spending my time with them, but this morning upon awakening at 3:30 AM, I realized that God was speaking to me through these two young men who have demonstrated the courage to follow their hearts (in very practical and concrete ways) in a materialistic culture which is blatantly against all they are espousing in their lives and their writings.
More importantly, I realized that the basic premise of “minimalism” is more biblical than many things I read by “Christian” writers. Simply put, it is to consciously find what is most important to you (of most value) and then consciously use all your time and energy (physical, mental and emotional) pursuing that, which means getting out of your life everything that interferes with that pursuit—which is where “minimalism” comes in (getting rid of all those “things” which consume your time, energy and thought life, but are not contributing to what is of value to you). This would include a careful examination of all other aspects of your life (e.g., relationships and habits such as diet and exercise). I am reminded of Jesus’ word to the rich young ruler and also to the multitudes:
Luke 18:22 . . . Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
Luke 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
—and also the words of Paul:
Philippians 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
Yes, the “cost” of following the Christ is getting out of our lives everything that is interfering with that goal and putting in whatever contributes to it.
Orthodox Christianity has presented us with a God that always requires of us that which is “hard,” distasteful and unenjoyable. When we do those things which bring us (and others) joy, we feel we are being “selfish” or self indulgent. We believe it is “suffering” that perfects us. Yet the kingdom of heaven consists of “righteousness, peace and joy” (Romans 14:17) and it is our Father’s “good pleasure” to give it to us (Luke 12:32). This of course doesn’t mean that we will never experience difficulty; but, rightly viewed, it will be “momentary, light affliction” (2Corinthians 4:17), not that which causes us to “labor” and be “heavy laden” (Matthew 11:28-30) (see It Is Finished). We can “count it all joy” (James 1:2) (as James, Paul and even Jesus did) because we are pursuing that which matters most to us:
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
I’ve maintained from the beginning of this website that we have made Christianity so much more complex than it need be (see Simplicity that is in Christ). God is appearing to me now in the writings of Joshua and Ryan to show me further what this “simplicity” looks like in everyday life.
We “Christians” miss so much of what God is saying to us when we don’t understand that we (“Christian” or not) are all members of one another, for there is but one body and one Spirit (Ephesians 4:4) (see Putting on Immortality and Perfect in One). We also miss out when we don’t understand that we are instructed to
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
—God is indeed directing us, even when it doesn’t seem very “spiritual” and when we are instructed to pay heed to someone whom we don’t believe to be “Christian.” Our responsibility is simply to remain in a state of listening and follow whatever desire we have, trusting in God’s promise to continually point out the way we are to go and steer us away from that which is not beneficial.
Isaiah 30:21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.
The danger is to be so “religious” that we cannot without guilt go where we are led or, worse yet, even hear that voice which is directing us.
When we do hear a word from God (see What Is the Word of God), it is so very important that we act upon that “word” immediately, or we are in danger of forgetting what we have heard:
James 1:23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
Yesterday I read many of the essays of Joshua (“the minimalist”) where he says that his “passion” (of extreme value to him) is writing, and that when he awakens in the morning feeling refreshed from sleep (usually between 3 and 5 AM), he gets out of bed and writes while there are no distractions and his mind is clear. That really struck a chord with me because I feel that I am called by God to write (see The Name “Dauthor” and What Is “God’s Call”?) and almost always awaken very early in the morning.
(Disclaimer: I am in no way suggesting that this young man is hearing from God or that what he writes is even edifying. What I am saying is that because the Christ is in everyone, He can speak to us through any vessel, even those we may not consider “spiritual.”)
So this morning I acted upon what I had heard as I began to write this contemplation. I sense a new freedom now to really focus on what is most important to me, starting with what Jesus said is the “great commandment” that is the summation of all biblical teaching—loving God and our brother (Matthew 22:36-40) (see From the Beginning and Assuring our Hearts before Him). I am learning to identify that which is causing me to be physically exhausted and emotionally stressed, whatever interferes with the love walk as described in 1Corinthians 13—not only to identify those “things” but also to consciously begin the process of removing them from my life (no easy task for anyone, but very rewarding). Joshua and Ryan have identified most of the culprits, chief among them being
1. material possessions that we don’t need and don’t bring us joy, while eating up large segments of our time and energy (buying, maintaining, organizing, cleaning, getting rid of and replacing)
Jesus said it this way:
Luke 12:15 . . . Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
2. activities that serve no meaningful purpose in our lives (e.g., mindlessly watching TV or surfing the internet; working at a job we don’t like to buy things we don’t need; attempting to do all the “good” (educational, artistic, religious, whatever) things there are to do and never enjoying any of them, and
3. relationships where neither of us is being helped by the other to “grow up into Christ.”
I did hear from God years ago that I was to “un-clutter” my life so that I could embark on the spiritual journey which has brought me to where I am now in my relationship with God. And I did that. I gave away most of my possessions so that I could go where I felt God was leading me.
Now I am being challenged to take this revelation to another level—to let go of anything and everything that saps my physical, mental and emotional energy which should be spent doing what God has called me to do.
Do I have the “faith” to do what is contrary to what others think I should be doing, “faith” to form new habits after a lifetime of old ones?
Paul tells us that “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). I have heard “the word of God” (see What Is the Word of God?) to “un-clutter” ALL areas of my life.
Because I have heard, “faith” has come—faith to DO what I have heard, lest I forget and never actually experience what I’ve heard.
I have a new understanding of James’ words
James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
This does not mean that we get anything from God by what we do. It means, rather, that if I don’t act upon what I hear from God, even though faith comes when I hear, that faith is “dead” and is of no benefit to me whatsoever. What I do as a result of hearing is just EVIDENCE of my faith—believing that I have indeed heard and willing to do whatever is necessary to act upon what I’ve heard.
Right now I’m realizing that I have to train myself to think differently about food and to give myself permission to act differently without feeling guilty. To have more time and energy to read, meditate and write, I must simplify my food preparation, cease trying to maintain my reputation as a good cook and stop feeling responsible for other people’s needs and desires in the matter of food. I have to continually allow the Holy Spirit to direct both my thoughts and actions, or I will gravitate back into my old habits.
As I succeed in this area, I can begin to apply this revelation to other areas of my life. As I keep my focus on what God is calling me to do rather than all the “good” things I could be doing—and have done for so many years—I will be able to easily let go of the things, activities, habits and even relationships that are hindering me as
Philippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Note: It is now two weeks later and I have written 6 contemplations—as I have begun to act upon the “word” recorded in this one.