Complex Simplicity

I’m finding the effort to “simplify” life to be quite a complex undertaking.  Granted, I seem to have a knack for making the process more time-consuming than it needs to be.  Organizing my mail requires a trip to the Container Store to find the perfect rattan holder with multiple dividers to hold my special pens, stamps, and stationary.  Cooking from home so as to save money necessitates signing up for culinary classes at Central Market in order to become a proper “foodie.”  My i-phone allows me instant access to my calendar, e-mail, and contact list, but it also takes minutes from my day with both Facebook and Angry Birds right at my fingertips. 

I’m finding the effort to “simplify” life to be quite a complex undertaking.  Granted, I seem to have a knack for making the process more time-consuming than it needs to be.  Organizing my mail requires a trip to the Container Store to find the perfect rattan holder with multiple dividers to hold my special pens, stamps, and stationary.  Cooking from home so as to save money necessitates signing up for culinary classes at Central Market in order to become a proper “foodie.”  My i-phone allows me instant access to my calendar, e-mail, and contact list, but it also takes minutes from my day with both Facebook and Angry Birds right at my fingertips. 

With each effort to simplify, it seems three more things and a few more dollars are added to my to-do list and budget.  For me, a “simple” life (i.e., organized, unhurried, and uncluttered) requires a heck of a lot of time and money.

Or does it?  Studies show that all of our time-saving gadgets do little to free up our schedules.  Rather, our calendars are quickly molded by the tyranny of the urgent, the squeakiest wheel, or the newest reality show.

In this season of Lent, I’ve been pondering the spiritual discipline of simplicity.  Does living a simple life mean freedom from busyness and chaos or freedom from that which distracts our focus and futilely consumes our energies?

King David’s life could hardly be described as simple.  Yet in the midst of great complexities, he continually reaffirmed his trust in the Lord.  And along with that trust came simple peace.  The secret to simplicity is not necessarily found in reducing our schedules and possessions to nothingness, but rather cultivating attentiveness to God’s intimate involvement in the busyness, chaos, and complexities of our lives.  And in the undercurrent of our chaotic, busy existence, we can say along with David, “He leads me …. He restores my soul…”

Christ invites us to come…come and drink.  Come and be filled.  Come and be restored.  Come to me, and I will direct your steps and provide what you need. 

Simply put, all we have to do is respond.