Less is More

I'm just wrapping up a book called Spiritual Simplicity: Doing Less, Loving More by Chip Ingram. It calls the reader to focus on loving those around them by reflecting Christ's love rather than attempting to find or show love by worldly standards. (That's a really quick synopsis, you should really read the book itself)

To be fully transparent, as the book continued to ask what I could give up to spend more time truly sharing Christ, I had difficulty answering. I surely am busy, but I could not find that "thing" that was consuming so much time and keeping me from better things. The book also points out that at times we can do something good with all the right intentions and outcomes, but it still is ultimately more about us than about loving others. I couldn't isolate anything there either.

And yet there is a constant battle for me of not having enough time to show the love I want to show. I'd like to commit more time to keeping a handle on our budget to better love my family and care for God's gifts;, I'd like to spend more time caring for the dads and parents I know to encourage them to share Christ with their family; I'd like to spend more time maintaining the house for my hard working wife to lighten her load at home; etc.

But where is the time going? It took some doing and some praying, and it will take much more prayer to make the change, but for me I think I found my area to target. For me it's not a big thing, but a collection of little things (warning: graphic content ahead):. A little too much extra time in the bathroom when the pooping is done but I'm enjoying the quiet;. A little too much time reading "news" on line that really doesn't accomplish anything; a little too much time on a brainless game or a brainless TV show in the name of relaxing when I really should be sleeping. I could go on but you get the picture.

Maybe it's different for you... maybe it is something big; or maybe like me it's a collection of smalls. Whatever it is, pray about finding the adjustment that will help you do less and love more. Just remember, we're reflecting a Love that God has already shown us. The book ends with a look at 2 Corinthians 5:14-21. Read ahead if you'd like, but we're going to visit it more next time. For now, in your quiet time, be motivated by verse 14: "...Christ's love compels us..."