Less is More


Yesterday I needed to buy a tube of toothpaste and so I went to Target.  At the toothpaste aisle I was astounded by the number choices.

There was paste, or gel. There was toothpaste that whitened, kinds that protected against cavities, and ones that promised to rebuild the enamel on my teeth.  There was natural toothpaste (made of charcoal?!?!), and stuff that was ADA approved.  There was toothpaste for sensitive teeth, toothpaste with flouride, and toothpaste made especially for children. There were different brands - Crest, Colgate, Aim, Pepsodent, Sensodyne, Oral-B, Tom's, Arm & Hammer, Ultra Brite and Proctor and Gamble.

Did I say I was astounded - strike that, I was OVERWHELMED - I must have spent 10 minutes looking through the options before giving up, and just grabbing a tube of Crest.

And that - dear friends, is the topic of today's post - Less, is often more. 

As Americans we are blessed with so much.  But is it really a blessing?  Or is it a distraction?  With cupboards full of food, and closets full of clothes, with homes that have floors, and windows and walls, running water and air conditioning - we still find plenty to complain about.  Just as people have a bad habit of dismissing other people's problems and concerns - we seem to also have a bad habit of not appreciating what we have.

In living simply we remove some of the distraction so we can see life for what it is, our blessings for what they are.  And in this state of LESS we are able to recognize the things that are truly important.

I read a fun little book once called God on a Harley. In it, a woman was overwhelmed and saddened by her relationships, her job, and her lifestyle.  But she met God (or maybe an angel in human form), and little by little she changed her life.  She removed the things that she spent a lot of time, energy and focus on - but which didn't bring her happiness or help her to live the life that God had planned for her.  In the end - less was more.

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. - Micah 6:8

God knows that riches, possessions, good looks, privilege and fame are fleeting at best, and worthless in the light of eternity.  But HOW can we learn to live with less?  By leaning on Him.  By making Him (and not STUFF) the center of our worship.  




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