The idea of living a simpler life came to me in the mid 1990s through an excellent (and very small) book titled Intimacy with the Almighty, by Charles Swindoll. His reflections were founded on Ecclesiastes 7:29 that says, “God has made us plain and simple, but we have made ourselves very complicated.” Here are a few more thoughts on simplicity that have interwoven their way into my thinking:

• Each day has enough trouble of its own. Focus on getting a few things done well.
• Take time to pause. Take in your surroundings. Take time to listen to and serve others.
• Take periodic vacations. Working hard requires faith. Taking a break requires faith.
• Seek out memories to cherish more than stuff to accumulate.
• If you’re a spender, stretch by saving a little. If a saver, stretch by spending a little.
• Grow in generosity. It is more blessed to give than to receive.
• Proverbs 13:7 – A pretentious, showy life is an empty life; a plain and simple life is a full life.

Has this given you any ideas on how you can live a simpler life?

I have found that “peace and rest in a hurried world” is more received than achieved. Here are a few ways I am growing in receiving peace and rest:

• Early morning quiet time and solitude
• A good night’s rest and some swimming, running and stretching a few times per week
• Making daily progress little by little, rather than striving too hard
• Living in the moment, treasuring relationships and shared memories
• Having a mindset to more of a creator than a consumer
• Thinking of life as an epic story, an adventure to live, a beautiful film in living color

This was a great exercise for me, and more thoughts will probably follow. How about you? What things are helping you receive “peace and rest” today?

Continuing from yesterday…

In the summer of 2004, I left Ronald Blue & Co. to become a full-time pianist and composer. The greatest blessing of my call to that firm was not that it was a life calling, but that I had learned God would speak to me and I could hear His voice if my heart was surrendered to Him. The improbability of my career shifting from money to music is a miracle and a mystery that has stretched our faith, but God has been faithful.

The principles of Ronald Blue & Co. and Sound Mind Investing were vital in giving my wife and me the financial ability to follow God’s call. We both worked before having children, lived well within our means, and paid off all of our debts except our home mortgage. We made extra principal payments over time and were able to convert from a 30-year to a 15-year mortgage with the same payment. We maximized and diversified our savings using SMI recommendations for money market and mutual funds. God also challenged us to be more generous in our giving during these years.

Below are two additional steps and scriptures that have had a powerful impact on our faith journey. I hope they inspire and encourage you to pursue your passions

3. Invite. After you have prayerfully asked God to speak, waited upon Him, listened for His voice, obeyed what He says, and clarified the vision He has revealed to you, then you are ready to invite others to pray for you and even contribute to your cause. Ask God to help you seek to please Him and not men. “Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear” (Isaiah 65:24).

4. Imitate. Imitate the faith of others who are surrendered to God and seeking His will in their life. Spend time with them and learn from them. Imitate Jesus’ desire to please the Father. “So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’ Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith” (Hebrews 13:6-7).