During the season of Lent, many Christ followers strive for more simplicity, with the hope of noticing the presence of God in the day-to-day and becoming more content with the routine blessings God provides. The discipline of simplification goes against the grain of many cultures, which value having much, and the bigger the better to boot.
I’ll admit it—I personally tend to love the finer things in life. I also have little need for want, in the sense that the struggles of poverty or grave illness have not been known to me personally. For many in the world, these struggles are an everyday reality and they do not need to think about simplifying their lives, just survival.
Meanwhile, in societies that have an abundance of possessions and money, we must constantly evaluate our station and simplify our lifestyles so we can try to get at least a step or two closer to Jesus. If we do not, Jesus has made it clear that the Eternal Kingdom is not for us. (Mark 10:17-31; Matthew 10:17-31, 19:16-30; Luke 18:18-30)
It is important that we do not glorify poverty in any of this. God does not desire for anyone to be poor. God also does not desire for anyone to be absurdly rich in earthly wealth and possessions. Indeed, the rich will be judged harshly by God. Our faith is a faith of moderation and restraint. Christ following involves both celebration and mourning, feasting and fasting. Overall, God is looking beyond material and monetary wealth, to matters of the heart and our actions that flow from there. (Matthew 6, Luke 12:4-34)
Now, practices of simplicity come in many forms and God’s commands to us are both individual and communal, differing from person to person and group to group. During the Lent season, those of us who are barraged by consumerism and capitalism should use this time to step back from those urgings and refocus on the everlasting essentials of faith in Jesus Christ.
Perhaps put aside technology, media, and other noisy distractions. Or, give up specific foods or drinks you particularly like. Maybe, do something different during your evenings or mornings that allows you to connect with the Divine. Give up something that brings you earthly joy for a weekend, or a whole week, or from now until Easter. See what lessons and gifts are gained from simplicity.
Our abstentions during Lent cannot be for personal gain though. They must result in drawing us closer to God and to one another. Jesus has clearly said that this sums up the entirety of God’s desires for humankind. (Mark 12:28-34, Matthew 22:34-40, Luke 10:25-37) So let us passionately strive for simplicity that is centered around these same primary objectives during Lent. And may what we discover this season echo into year-round lifestyle changes that make a noticeable difference in our world, for the glory of God and the benefit of all humanity.
Relevant Reformation 