Two weeks ago, I began Project: Simplify in my own home. Jim wrote an intriguing comment on that post in which he shared his own experience of the simplification process. I asked him to share more in a guest post, because, bottom line, I really like Jim. Every time I read one of his comments on Pop Parables or any other blog, I gain wisdom and insight on the topic. I hope you’ll gain some perspective on your own life after reading about Jim’s experience.
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Read the title again – it is not The Simple Life starring Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie but The Simpler Life starring me and my family.
It all started a little over three years ago. I was called into the Senior Pastor’s office for my normal Friday meeting with him. We had not been doing it very regularly but he made a point the day before to make sure I would be in there for this one. I go into his office and notice that he looks stressed. He asks me a few surface questions and then hits me with “You have six months to find another job”. I was stunned and really heard very little of what he said after that point. By all accounts, I had done all that was asked and more in my position at the church.
I had been at this church that was in an affluent suburb of a big northeastern city for nearly 8 years. To make matters worse we bought our first home just 11 month before. It was not a huge house but at nice 1600 square foot home in a development. We had a couple of nice vehicles and a good amount of stuff. Let me be brutally honest – we were “keeping up with Jones” with all the stuff we were compiling but did not realize that we were losing ourselves spiritually in the mix of stuff and losing God.
We were now going to have to live the simpler life. I thought that meant just getting rid of some of the stuff but it actually turned out to be a whole lot more.
In my calling as a pastor I spoke about God a lot but in reality He was forgotten because I was so busy doing stuff for Him. God was forgotten in the pursuit of stuff. It was not all bad stuff but it was cluttering up life and I was losing God in it all. Spiritual stuff began to clutter up my life to the point that God was forgotten.
When I was put in the position that my job was going away – I realized how much I complicated and cluttered my life up with physical stuff and spiritual stuff that was not needed at all. I clearly saw that God was just a part of my life and not the center of it – something I had preached and taught against. I did not see it at the time but hindsight made it clear. God needs to touch every aspect of our lives and when He does I believe He will help keep it clear of the clutter. When He is just a slice of life and not the center life gets cluttered with stuff that does not need to be there. A solid relationship with Christ clears the clutter and helps you to see stuff for what it is – just stuff.
After only five months of being told I had six months to find a job God provided a position as a senior pastor in a small church in southeastern Virginia. It is rural and there are only 400 people live in the village. Life moves as a slower pace here – at least it does for me and my family. We are not always running here or there – there really is nowhere to go. I do not have endless meetings. I refuse to allow the desire to keep up with anybody creep in again because I see how destructive it has been. I just want to stay connected with God, my wife, my kids, my family, and church. I do not want to worry about what stuff I have or what stuff I do not have.
The simpler life was not a choice I made willingly but one that I am glad now was forced on me and my family. I do not believe you have to be forced in to the simpler life but it is a choice you can make right where you are today. Survey your life and make sure life is not so cluttered with stuff that God is being lost in the mix.
Make God the center of your life. And, the result will be a much simpler life.
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Do you have a simpler life and if so how did you get it?
Who is Jim Foreman? He is a lover of God, husband of a godly woman, father of 2 great kids, a friend, a pastor, and many other things. He enjoys sports, reading, and life in general. You can read his blog On The Brink Of Something Large .
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Currently, we’re in the middle of Jen Hatmaker’s book, 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess, which has truly challenged us as we’ve simplified various aspects of our lives. We’re currently only wearing 7 pieces of clothing for a month, which I’m finding rather refreshing. We can’t wait to move in a few months, because we know it means purging SO many of our belongings.
I love, though, how you show us that simplification goes beyond the physical stuff. A simple life is spiritual in nature and has a different feel than most of us are used to. I’ve experienced it in Sierra Leone and in Taiwan, but I try my best to implement that here in the US, but it’s nearly impossible with the way our culture lives.
Great post, Jim!
Thanks Adrian. It is hard to live the simple life as you well know but God will help you through the process!
Adrian, you’re so right about the simple life, with God at the center, being counter cultural. In the past couple of years I’ve really tried to narrow down what desires of my heart are culturally prompted and what are God prompted. The American dream doesn’t exactly line up with God’s plans all the time. Sobering, but true. I really appreciate you sharing your thoughts.
I like how you said, ” He was forgotten because I was so busy doing stuff for Him”. It seems that this is all too true too often of the time for a lot of us, myself included. i think a simplification of our lives is helpful to bring us back to where we need to be. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks April. I constantly have to keep watch that I do not get so busy doing the things of God that I forget about Him and as you said – it is a common problem.
Reminds me of a saying, “Just because it’s a good thing, doesn’t mean it’s always a God thing.” Walking closely with Him really brings so much into focus. Having an intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit really challenges a lot of my thinking!
Keri – Thank you so much for asking me to do this and for the kind words. I appreciate it!
You were so gracious to share from your heart, Jim. Thank you for taking the time to do this. I still feel like there is more I could gain from even more of your sharing about this!
Hey Jim! I knew some of this story but did not know the simplifying part. Amazing how something so drastic can cause us to take stock of where we are and what we have and “force” us to make changes. You, Wendy, McKayla and Luke are much richer now than you ever were before. Thanks for sharing this part of your story.
Bill – thanks! We certainly are much richer now with a simple life.
Great post, Jim. I appreciate your heart and humility.
My family and I went through a similar “adjustment” a number of years ago where, among other things, chasing things and being busy (at that time not for God) ruled
our lives. Gone in a flash. Replaced with doctors, lawyers, fear and uncertainty.
We turned to God. We’re seeking His direction. We still wrestle with what you wrote about. But we know where we’ve been and Who brought us through it.
Thank you, sir.
Thanks Bob for the compliment and for sharing part of your story – I pray that as you struggle to simplify your life that you find it rewarding in Him!
Bob, your comments remind me that it is all a gift from Him to begin with, isn’t it? As Americans we tend to think of ourselves as deserving, hard working, earned it all? But, every good and perfect gift is from Him.
Agreed, Keri.
Thankful to Him in and for everything. …And, have learned, it doesn’t stop there – what does He want me to do with what He gives? On the thin surface, that may be hard to answer. Deeper…in and with Him…not so hard.
Great stuff Jim. Simplicity is so hard, but yet is the best way to live. Jesus lived a simple life. Living in one of the highest-paced cities it makes it increasingly difficult to be simple in anything. But I have managed the art of saying no and focus on the things that demand my attention (and are worth my attention). I live in a small apartment with 1 wife and 2 children and we couldn’t be happier. Eventually, we’ll outgrow it, but for now, the closeness we have is special and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Thanks Moe – I do believe in the closeness that comes from literally living in close quarters – stay there and live in the simplicity of it as long as you can!
I totally agree about the close quarters! I grew up in a house that was only 630 square feet! It was 3 bedroom, 1 bath. My bro and I still insisted on sharing a room, and I have so many fond memories that are part of our relationship now. We live in a small house now. And, with 3 boys there are definitely times when I wish we had more space. But, then I think, that would just be more to take care of and less time to be together.
I have had a much simpler life in the 6 months. My wife quit her job. We went from 2 incomes to one. I realized how much were spending by the shear fact that we were just making more money before. We don’t out 6 times, or more, a month. Now it’s down to one. We decided to just keeping off debt with some of the savings we had. We created a budget. Also, at work my territory change, and even though I still hold the same position, it’s a much slower pace due to the territory that I have, compared to what I use to have. My wife and actually have had more time to sit down with kids and eat a sit down dinner. I am not as stressed as I used to be. My wife and I have more time to go to the gym and work out together. It’s been a blessing going to one income, and changing territories at work. Thank you God. And thank you Jim for this awesome post.
Juan – Thanks and thanks for sharing your story! I love the fact that you are simplifying your life and God is blessing you in it!
Wow, Juan. What a step of faith to go down to 1 income after having more than you needed. I’m encouraged to hear how this has drawn you closer together. That’s just awesome!