although i get a little nervous saying this, this path to become minimalist has become a spiritual journey for me. i get nervous about that because i realize that this ups the anty in my journey. before it was just about deliberating getting organized and choosing a new design style for my home. but now it’s about living a life that is honoring to the God who created me. choosing a design style, i’m okay if i screw that up. but not honoring God with my life, that’s a mistake i want to stay away from…
dallas willard defined discipleship this way, “trying to live your life the way Jesus would live your life.” i really like that. it’s a helpful thought for me. i don’t have to try and relive Jesus’ life exactly how he lived it – He already lived that life. instead, i need to take the life that God has given to me and ask the question, “how would Jesus live it if he were living my life?” with that in mind, i look around my home and wonder, “is this what Jesus’s house would look like if he were living my life? would his closet look this full? would his kitchen have this many gadgets? would he have spent as much on home furnishings and decorations as i have?” most of the time, i answer in the negative.
it seems to me the minimalist life is more in-tune with the life that Jesus would live. and therefore, this journey has become very spiritual for me and that makes me excited and nervous.
Vida says
Hello joshua! Finally i got to read a minimalist post that’s tied to thr christian faith. Thank you for this
Todd Saber says
Do you have a few Favorite “christian minimalists” who author books or have created bible studies on Minimalism or other related topics(ie. simplicity, anti-consumerism, etc..)
D.N. says
Freedom of Simplicity by Richard J. Foster is great so far… not finished but really good so far!
Andrew says
You can get your inspiration from any figure who practiced minimalism. Henry David Thoreau was one of mine. If I were to make a suggestion to your site, if you would make it easier to go through your posts by having next post links on each page, it would be a big help. Having to keep going back to the archives to read your next post is a bit cumbersome. Even Leo at Zen Habits does this and he is one of the ultimate minimalists. Just a suggestion, but an important one.
Liz says
I recently developed a minimalist approach to living as we are moving overseas permanently soon. Had to clean up and toss things out.
Bible teachings (Jesus and Paul in particular) encourage us to be generous, not covetous, not OTT (in dress) and most important is being CONTENT!
How great to realise that God wants us to be simple in how we live and not wasting resources on junk we don’t need.
I’m quite sure Jesus was a minimalist haha
Liz says
I recently developed a minimalist approach to living as we are moving overseas permanently soon. Had to clean up and get its
Bible teachings (Jesus and Paul in particular) to be generous, not covetous, not OTT (in dress) and most important is being CONTENT!
How great to realise that God wants us to be simple in how we live and not wasting resources on junk we don’t need.
I’m quite sure Jesus was a minimalist haha
Stephanie says
When we get rid of all the necessary things in life, we have more room and time to realize how much we really do have. For myself, this includes more room and time for Christ. Our culture makes us feel like we constantly need more…more clothes, more cars, etc. Christ has us live counter-culturally…we have EVERYTHING in and through Christ.
The ironic thing about living minimally, or living for Christ, is that it’s not “minimal” at all :-)
Stephanie says
Typo in the first line: should be “unnecessary”
Nagandran Murugiah says
If you are going to be an idiot, fine. I’m want to join in the bandwagon. Let’s be the holy, godly and contented idiot! Love the sound of it!!
Victoria says
I love this post! “How would Jesus live my life?” how thought provoking.
Liz says
Very inspiring. I feel the same way. Thanks.
di says
Would you want Jesus to see what is in your home?