Contentment(noun) - satisfaction; ease of mind
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. Philippians 4:11
Over this summer the Lord has led me to the reality that I have tended to complicate matters in my life. As my husband and I have once again had to deal with some financial struggles, I realized that I have stopped doing the things I used to that saved us money. I stopped keeping a stocked pantry (too easy to depend of the grocery store). I stopped making our foods mostly homemade. Now, when we are struggling, I feel that I have to relearn the lessons God had taught me several years ago.
God is showing me that a simple life isn't something we have just because we are going through a tough time. We have a simple life because it is a protection.
The best way to describe what I feel that the Lord is trying to tell me is to describe the Amish. The Amish are fascinating to me because they are able to have a certain way of life that hasn't changed much in hundreds of years. They look at changes and technology as tools to be carefully considered before using. They are careful to limit things that might change their family dynamics or bring in things into their homes that would influence their children in a way that takes away from devotion to the Lord or family unity.
They purposely live with less, work hard, and strive for contentment. They seek unity with the Lord and with each other. As a result, while some of the Amish were affected by the recession that hit in 2008 when they lost factory jobs, most had no repercussions from the poor economy.
So many people are extremely judgmental of Christians that seek to live Biblically. There are different interpretations of Scripture, and while I don't necessarily agree with the Amish doctrinally, I am interested in their methods. The Amish have never bought into the rampant consumerism that plagues most Americans. They don't care about when the latest iphone will be out. They aren't up to speed on the fall line-up of new television shows. And while books, articles, and television shows abound about Amish youth's Rumspringa, where Amish youth are shown to participate in things that is the opposite of most Amish morals, the truth is that the Amish retention rate (those choosing to be baptized into the Amish church) is between 80% and 90% (from all the articles I found). Considering the current statistics have only between 4% to 40% of youth (large discrepancy between studies) staying with their faith within Evangelical Christians, I think it's important to realize that all of our seeker-friendly "methods", youth groups, and contemporary music has not "won" anyone for long. A relationship with Christ is deeper than all the stuff we do in our own strength.
God hasn't told me to join the Amish church. However, He has led me to slow down, to simplify, to plan ahead, to hold fast to the values that He holds dear. He is showing me, in my time with Him, that the financial lessons He is having me relearn are applicable to more than just money. Do we really need all the "stuff" that we have? Or do we buy things just to keep ourselves entertained.
At church this morning my Pastor said that he believed we had three gods in America that we let take the place of the one, true God: money, entertainment, and sports. He loves sports, but has seen many Christians not attend services because their children are on a sports team that plays on Sundays. He's seen Sundays go from a day where it was expected to be a day of rest, to what he called "the other Saturday". Every Sunday morning as he drives the few blocks to church he purposely drives past the other two churches in his small town. As he does, he prays for their pastors, services, and congregations. But he also passes many, many people out doing other activities. Mowing the grass, sitting on their porches... they aren't at church.
I remember my Sundays before I became a Christian. I slept in. I often worked if I had a job. It was a day of recovering from Saturdays or waiting for the week to start. It wasn't a day set aside for gathering together with others to worship the Lord.
But... God has me on a different path. I forgot that for awhile. I got caught up in the routines of life, caught myself jealously envying others more prosperous lives, found myself wanting to take the easy way more often, waiting for the "upgrades" in life such as the new phone or more satellite channels or a new laptop. This was all so easy to fall into. I didn't realize that I had been so distracted by all the things that just don't matter.
I'm tired. It's hard to explain, but I am sick of living my life with little depth, peace, or meaning. Going through the motions of life just isn't enough. Finding out that you aren't any better off financially than you were five years ago because you didn't plan or prepare is very defeating. Watching my children get engrossed in television shows where the main characters have no character is sickening (yes, I've turned it off when it was too much). Feeling disconnected from God and even family is lonely and depressing. Even homeschooling loses it's calling when it's done out of routine and not for the Lord.
I am wanting to find that peace that passes all understanding. I am wanting simple again. Complex is stressful. I'm tired of my life being about the superficial things, even while I deny that the superficial has a hold of my heart. There is a difference between fun and superficial. There is a difference between rest and superficial. God is showing me the difference.
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