Let’s talk about the backpack. My friends and I get one backpack for our whole nine months (minus the one where we came home for Christmas haha). While this seemed a little daunting at first, it is not even a second thought to want or have more in my brain now. It has been so freeing to be able to carry and fully use all that I own! All my stuff gets used every week and I can easily pack it up and be on the move when need be. My brothers and sisters here share clothes if there is a need or if we want to spice up the wardrobe a bit. I can easily say that I am content, not because I stuffed my backpack full of things I love, but because it’s the things that I can’t stuff in a backpack that I love. I have found abundance not in things, but in greater knowledge of the Father and His care.
I am not saying you should be able to fit all your earthly belongings in a fancy Osprey pack, but that if your possessions are taking time out of your life or simply not adding value to it, then maybe think about finding another home for them. Don’t get me wrong, I am excited to come home to a few more options, to an espresso maker, and my house plants, but I am equally as excited to implement further simplicity in assessing all I own through a different lens. There is a place for abundant blessings, but I think there is always room for us to refocus our eyes on the Author and Perfecter of our faith instead of comfort or inflating materials. He came that we might have life abundantly (John 10:10), but that life-abundant is not found in abundant materials.
Jesus warns us saying, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions” (Luke 12:15). He also tells us not to “store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and thieves break in and steal… For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19). Our love of material things can actually hinder our walk with God and cause little seeds of discontentment to be sown. Yet, we can choose to walk in simplicity as apprentices of Christ in order to obtain greater abundance in Him. Repeatedly, Jesus proves that man’s love of material goods, not necessarily their quantity, hinders him from experiencing God fully. While minimalism is not the gospel, it can be an ingredient in the recipe to a closer walk with God. AND as an apprentice of Jesus is a practice in sync with Him.
In this greater abundance that is so counter-cultural, we are also equipped to give more freely. “The kingdom of heaven is at hand… freely you received, freely give” (Matthew 10:7-8). When we are filled with a carefree uncare for possessions, not only do we experience a greater pouring in from the Spirit but our capacity to give, both spiritually and physically, increases as well.
So, I want to challenge you and me both to learn what it means to live in simplicity of materials and thus in the abundance. Does this mean doing a Goodwill clean out or simply noticing how much time you spend caring for all the different things you own? What does it practically look like to seek first the Kingdom for you?
“Let us lay aside every hinderance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, facing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith…” (Hebrews 12:1-2). How can you start in a small way to lay aside every hinderance this week? Simplicity is a a discipline to shape us to look more like Christ, not a perfect end goal. So, let’s take a step into it together!
With love,
Abby
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UPDATE: We said our “hasta luegos” in Guatemala this week and are ready to head into a new season in Costa Rica. My highlight was when the children we had been teaching english all read us thank you notes on the last day. If that doesn’t tear your heart out… We then spent a week debriefing what all the Lord has done and getting vision for what is to come. We are rested and ready to begin life with Him and together in a new place!
*photo by my squadmate Elijah! This photo captures the pila on base where we hand-wash all our clothes! We have so many talented photographers on the squad, so if you want to see some more Kingdom work, check out their Instagrams and blogs!
