As part of our attempt to explore the discipline of simplicity we offered an invitation to experience simplicity this week.
(I stole this idea in part from CIY:MOVE, although there challenges to students extended throughout the year and seemed to be much more difficult. I talked about this over at our Crossbridge Students Blog if you want to read more. By the way I was especially challenged by one girl from Billy Babbino’s youth group who got a challenge to not buy any new clothes for the next year and donate the money she would have spent to charity. I have told several adults about it, and the thing that makes me laugh is every time they try to come up for ways she can et around it. Like shopping at a thrift store, or having stuff given to her as gifts. It just strikes me as odd that she is committed to doing it, but all the adults I meet want to help her out of it. Girl–where ever you are–please know that I think your awesome, and I’m praying that you make it through this next year. What an amazing story you’ll have to tell!)
Anyway as a staff we came up with 10 challenges for our people. We tried to think of the things that most distract us from God or from serving others and then come up with a challenge to try and help us practice simplicity in that area. The goal for every challenge was that you simplify your life in some way to either serve others, or connect with God. Every person picked a card at random that allowed them to do their own simplicity experiment this week.
Here are the challenges:
1) Social Networking
Change your Facebook status, or email everyone you know, asking “What do you need?” and find a way over the next month to meet the top five needs.
2) Spring Cleaning
Clean out your house/closet/garage this month and donate the items to Mt. Moriah.
3) Consumer
Identify one thing you’ve been wanting to buy for yourself and buy it and give it away to someone who needs it.
4) TV Evangelists
Take 3 days off from all entertainment and read through the Gospel of John. Journal your experience and share it with someone you know.
5) Dinner Out
Identify someone who is lonely or suffering, and take them out to dinner.
6) Will Fast for Charity
Fast every Wed. for the next month and give the money you would’ve used for food and donate it to a charity.
7) Simple Pleasures
Take a night off or take a half day from work. Get together with some friends and family for a picnic at the park.
Everything Must GO
Have a free garage sale.
9) Unplugged
Turn off your internet after work this week. Take that time to have a family game night, or have some people over for dinner and games.
10) 1 Step Program
ID your addiction. Take a week off. Find a friend to help hold you accountable.
There’s no doubt that some of these are more challenging than others, but then again to each person the challenge is different. Again it’s not some sort of legalistic attempt to demonstrate your moral superiority. Living simply is about living with less to serve others and to connect to God.
If you got one of these we’d love to hear your story. Leave a comment, visit the forum, or drop me an email at shawn@crossbridgechristian.com.
Simplicity is very cool. Every time I hear the word I think of Thoreau who said, “My greatest skill has been to want but little.” I’m a fellow seeker of simplicity. I very much enjoyed what you wrote about it.
Ben,
Thanks for the comment. I’ve been trying to live out simplicity since blogging so much about it, but I must admit it is a difficult discipline to develop. Perhaps one day I will be able to echo Thoreau’s comments, time will tell.
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