Simply Soul Searching
HOW IS GOD LOVING ME – AND WHERE IS GOD LEADING ME?
15. THE BEST VERSION OF MYSELF: SIMPLIFY
Tuesday, March 19th
Read Matthew 6:19-21 (copied below).
Follow Jesus…
Jesus teaches the disciples and the gathered crowd the wisdom of storing eternal treasures over earthly ones. Yes, it’s true that one day we will not have any of these temporary treasures (“we can’t take it with us”) and even now, we could lose them to any number of calamities. But better still, when our heart’s treasure is found in the gifts of God, we experience new freedom, joy, generosity, and peace–treasures of heaven, here and now.
to be the best version of myself…
Christine Valters-Paintner writes about simplicity and ascetism in her book, The Artist’s Rule. She writes, “Simplicity calls us to live more intentionally… to recognize life’s essentials and what should be abandoned because of the unproductive energy it requires. We might discard thoughts, habits, or tangible objects that drain energy from our hearts’ truest desires.”1
I was struck by this idea of simplifying more than our belongings; to extend this practice to our ways of living and being, to pursue “our hearts’ truest desires”–those eternal ones of God. I need to ask more often, Is this the best use of our finances, our God-given resources? Is this the best use of my time, of my bonus and finite days of life? Where am I spending unproductive energy? Is there something I can eliminate to replace with something better–or simply to leave space? At the end of my life, will I be glad to have done this, or purchased this, or kept this, or worried about this?
Where might I create more space for God in my soul?
for the world.
God, Infinite Love,
Thank you for the wise teachings of Jesus. Make me aware of any earthly treasures that keep me from you and your better gifts, where I find my heart’s true treasure. May I use the resources you have given us for your better good, and may I simplify my life to create more space–for relationships, for creativity, for reflection, and for presence with you.
Our reading for Thursday (21), will be John 14:1-3, 27; 15:9-11; 16:33
1Valters-Painter, Christine. The Artist’s Rule: Nurturing Your Creative Soul with Monastic Wisdom. 2011, Sorin Books.
Photo by Karen, the beauty of simplicity.
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Matthew 6:19-21 (NRSVUE)
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Simply Soul Searching 
Perhaps you notice that my name is new to your blog. Normally I dont have much time to respond but this has to be an exception! Your post so perfectly fits into the current season of my life. For awhile now I have been attempting to simplify the “stuff” I have accumulated over the years..mainly family “treasures”. I reminisce, with fond yet sad memories, of those I have loved and lost.
After reading (and re-reading) this post, I now look at this process through a different lense. Do these items cause unproductive energy or unnecessary sorrow? Is there someone else who made need these items? Are there things I can eliminate, only to fill with simple, quiet, space? Yes, indeed I can, should and will eliminate the unnecessary !! And while I am sorting, I have taken the liberty of printing off Matthew 6:19-21 to read aloud….to myself. The only person to hear me is my cat, and she already thinks I’ve lost my mind so I’m good there!
But best of all, as you wrote: “May I use the resources you have given us for your better good, and may I simplify my life to create more space–for relationships, for creativity, for reflection, and for presence with you.”
Thank you Karen, for sharing your talents that God has blessed upon you. They have, and continue to touch my heart and my soul.
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Oh thank you so much, my friend. Now your insightful words are blessing me. ♥️
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