The word Simplicity is so inspiring to me, and has been for several years now.  I bought a white t-shirt that has the word Simplicity on it, I’ve done a little personal Bible study on it, and I’ve bought a few books on the subject.  Imagine the jolt I got when I picked up a book and my eyes fell on this quote:

“Simplicity is the dream of all
who have too much to do.”

NO!  I don’t believe it!  I love Simplicity for what it is, not because I have too much to do!   Besides, I have a lot to do, but not too much!
Anyway, after I read that, it made me think of another book, Freedom of Simplicity, by Richard J. Foster.  I got it from my bookcase, opened it, and came across this big section that I circled in it — it deals with simplicity and legalism and it really struck a chord in me when I read it months ago. 

“If Simplicity were merely a matter of externals,
things would be quite easy.  We would then need only to formulate the system (no small trick to be sure) that defines the boundaries-Christian faithfulness would allow us to live in this income bracket but not that one, to purchase this house but not that one.  We would have a clearly definable arrangement, even if it would need periodic adjustment to keep abreast of inflation.  It would be clear who is in and who is out, who is faithful and who is not.  Presto, a new pharisaism.  Very fine, thank you.

“Sometimes I genuinely wish it were that way.  And I have no desire to speak disparagingly of the many groups who have developed such systems.  In fact, I envy them at times, because the clarity of that approach has immense power to motivate and change behavior.  But as we all know, its end result is bondage and death.  THE LETTER ALWAYS KILLS;  THE SPIRIT ALONE GIVES LIFE.  Gospel simplicity gives freedom and liberation.

“The outer expression of simplicity must flow from the inner resources.  It is learning to walk in the Spirit that builds the life of purity, unity, and grace.  There is an inwardness that is central to our task;  without it all is lost.  We delude ourselves, however, if we think we can possess the inner reality of simplicity without its having a profound effect upon the way we live;  the tension must be maintained.

“Perhaps you have noted that I have been dealing with the age-old continuum of legalism to license.  We reject legalism because it leads to spiritual suicide, and we reject license because of the same reason.  THERE IS ANOTHER WAY, THE LIFE OF THE SPIRIT.  The Apostle Paul gives the classic formulation of this reality in his Epistle to the Galations.  There he came down about as hard as he possibly could against casuistic legalism and for the glorious freedom that we know in Christ, perceptively adding that we must not allow our freedom to be an apportunity of the flesh.  He concludes, ‘If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit’ (Gal. 5:25).  If we possess the inward reality, it must manifest itself in an outward lifestyle.”

So my meditations on Simplicity led to the freedom of realizing clearly the solution to my bondage of living by a set of rules and regulations put on me by men vs. “I can do anything I want”.  Why have I thought all along that there were only 2 choices: LEGALISM or LICENSE?  The only choice in the matter is living by the Spirit of God.  How can I know?  Only by a deep, meaningful relationship with my Heavenly Father.  Keep your eyes on Him and off others.

You all probably had this figured out, but all of our journeys are different, and the Lord led ME to the answer to MY questions.  I share so you know what’s going on in my mind today and as a testiment to the goodness of God.  We all have hearts that yearn to please and glorify Him and I am thankful to all my family and friends who are, each and every one, a blessing and encouragement to me!