Simplify Your Life

Is your life peaceful and orderly? Or is it stressful and chaotic?

Perhaps you, like me need to simplify your life! Simple means “not complicated or complex… plain… easy…” How do we go about making our lives plain and easy? I believe it begins with a real honest look in the mirror.

We first need to remember our purpose in this life, and evaluate our priorities. If we fill our schedules with things that have nothing to do with our purpose – if they don’t bring us closer to our goals, then we run around in chaos, being busy but pointless! If we’re not making the important things priority, then we are out of balance.

Scripture tells us to “Be still and know I am God.” How can we know God if we can’t be still? Well I’ve decided to simplify my life. I took that long, hard look in the mirror, and I’ve made some changes. I still have more to make, but I’m getting there. My calendar finally has a few blank spots on it, ready to fill with things that matter most to me: my family and my relationship with God. There are even a few blank spots now to allow for calamity or emergencies that may require my attention.

It all comes down to the choices we make, based on our willingness to fulfill our God-given purpose, and to put our priorities in proper order. After you figure those out, choose to organize your schedule (nothing changes until something changes) and then choose to get your home organized. Plan some meals. Purge some junk. Finish some projects. Do what you’ve been “meaning” to do for so long. Take that walk. Laugh with your kids. Take your husband on a date!

I move to ditch the stressful and chaotic, and replace it with peace and order! How about you?

Simple Freedom

“All things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” Col 1: 16-17

“In Him all things hold together…” Hmmmm, how is your life held together? Is it safe and sound? Or shaky and chaotic?

This passage goes on to say that Jesus “is the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy.” Translation: If Jesus isn’t supreme in your life, your life isn’t being held together very well!

It continues on to explain that through Jesus God reconciled us back to Himself. He “made peace” through His blood. Are you feeling that peace in your life? Take a good, honest look at yourself in the mirror. Are you growing closer to Him each year? Do others see good fruit coming from your life? If so, then you’ve set a solid foundation in Jesus, and are on the right path.

If not, then your life is probably chaotic, shifting this way and blowing that way. You go from one event to the next having no peace in your mind, no order in our home, and no specific purpose to your life. You need to make him “Supreme”!

Confess to Him where you’re at;

Take a stand that you’ll make your relationship with Him top priority;

Evaluate your schedule and do whatever necessary to make that happen;

Get organized at work to make your time there efficient and productive (when you take a break, enjoy it, but when you’re on the clock work!)

Get organized at home too. Get rid of clutter. Keep a routine for cleaning and for purging junk. Pass on clothes and things you don’t use any more. Plan meals. Shop wisely to be a good steward of your time and money.

Simplify your life by making matter what matters most. It’s OK to say “NO” to some opportunities in order to say “YES” toward your goals and priorities.

Turn off the TV and computer often in order to spend some quiet time with God, and some quality time with your family.

Jesus paid a very high price to reconcile us back to God, to make peace and give us an abundant life. He is a God of order who never meant for us to be too busy to enjoy the simple pleasures He offers, which lead to contentment, joy and peace. Complicated lives prevent “simple freedom”. It really is that simple.

Dear God, please help me get my life and home organized. Help me make it simple, not complex and complicated. Help me understand what matters most and enjoy life on earth the way You want me to. In Jesus’ precious Name. Amen.