In this current generation, we have steered away from living a simple life. Our houses have to be filled with stuff, our calendars with activities and our days with busyness. But there are some who have gone back to the simple life. What is that simple life? It means that are lives should be plain, basic and uncomplicated in form, nature or design (meaning of simple in the dictionary). That does not sound like too many of our lives today. So what does the Bible say our lives should be like?
First of all, God gave us a simple command for living. That command is love God and love others (Mark 12:30-31). That sounds easy but is so hard when we are trying to practice it. People are nasty to us or they are rude or a myriad of other things. But I wonder if we just came back to following this simple command, could our lives be different? We would have a great relationship with God because we are putting Him first. Our relationship with others would improve too as we just loved them and stopped trying to figure them out.
But what else does the Bible say? In 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, it says to “make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others”. Let’s just pull this apart a little:
1. Live a quiet life – what does that mean? Quiet in this verse means to refrain from meddlesomeness, to hold peace, be quiet and rest. It virtually means not to meddle in others affairs and watch what we are doing in our own lives. Live at peace and rest – don’t stress – live simply and uncomplicated.
2. Mind your own business – this means stop wanting to know about what everyone else is doing and just love them. Don’t complicate your life by getting involved in other’s lives where you are not wanted. If someone needs your advice, they will ask for it.
3. Work with your hands – work in a job either outside or inside the home so that you are kept busy.
If we do these things and live simply, others will see our lifestyle and want to live the same way too. This is one way, we can be an example of Jesus to others.
This week, look at your own life. Is it complicated then simplify it? Check yourself off against the above and I will be too to ensure that our lives are a testimony of God’s goodness, mercy and grace to others.
Bless you heaps and keep living the life God intended for you.
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