Author Michael Schut writes that most of us have chosen to pursue the “good life” and are missing the “abundant life.”[i] The “good life” is the American dream. It’s the two-story house, two-car garage, two-children, two-pets and two-incomes. It’s vacations out of town. The lake house. The gym membership. The golf clubs and cruises. Many of us are pursuing the “good life.” But the “good life” winds down and must be constantly propped up. It leads to chaos and fatigue and busyness. But there is another life—the “abundant life.” It’s a life of simplicity and generosity. It’s the life of having little and loving a lot. The “abundant life” is deep and vibrant and constant.
The Good Life:
- Promoted by TV, billboards, newspapers, magazines, and cultural leaders.
- Based on the belief that money & possessions leads to fulfillment.
- Productivity and activity are applauded.
- Values self and human desires above all else.
The Abundant Life:
- Life of love and rich relationships
- Freedom to define self in terms of relationship with God rather than stuff.
- Freedom to live a theology of enough—I already have more than I need and don’t need more.
- Leads to a life of compassion
Which life are you pursuing? The key to the abundant life is simplicity. Simplicity is a discipline which moves us away from the good life and closer toward the abundant life.
Here are some more “Simple Suggestions.”[ii] Choose one to focus on and pray about today.
#23) Stop trying to change people
#24) Don’t multi-task.
#25) Say “No”
#26) Resign from any organizations whose meetings you dread
#27) Welcome delays as an opportunity to relax.
#28) Do nothing from time to time
#29) Ask others for help
#30) Take time for lunch.
#31) Q: If my life were simplified, I would feel…
#32) Q: To me a simple life means…
#33) Q: What keeps me from simplifying my life is…
#34) Q: If I were to simplify my life, I would…
#35) Stress the quality of your life above the quantity of your life
#36) Make recreation healthy, happy, and gadget-free.
#37) Eat out less
#38) When you do eat out, make it a celebration
#39) Become as acquainted with people as with places.
#40) Buy things for their usefulness rather than their status
#41) Buy only what you need
#42) Wear your clothes until they are worn out.
#43) Impress people with your life, not your clothes
#44) Give generously
[i] Michael Schut, “The Good Life and the Abundant Life,” in Simpler Living, Compassionate Life edited by Michael Schut (Earth Ministry, 1999), 24-26.
[ii] Simple suggestions are compiled from the following sources: Richard Foster Freedom of Simplicity (HarperOne, 2005); Elaine St. James Simplify Your Life (Hyperion, 1994); H. Norman Wright Simplify Your Life And Get More Out of It! (Tyndale, 1998); Richard Foster, “The Discipline of Simplicity,” Simpler Living, Compassionate Life edited by Michael Schut (Living the Good News, 1999), 180-189; John Ortberg The Life You’ve Always Wanted (Zondervan, 1997); Kim Thomas Simplicity (Broadman & Holman, 1999).
[image]
