This idea of minimalism has really caught my attention in recent months; but in a different way then how Kondo explains it.
I began thinking of minimalism in a biblical way, how to be a Christian minimalist.
Minimalism is defined as eliminating all non-essential forms, features or concepts. So basically, Christian minimalism is getting rid of any and all things that get in the way of my relationship with Jesus.
And in other words, Christian minimalism sounds a lot like the basic definition of Christianity, the removal of focus on oneself in order to worship the One who truly deserves it.
So when I really think about it, I think God really digs minimalism. In fact, I think Jesus Christ was the ultimate minimalist. Jesus commands His followers to be minimalists too and to not live a life of hoarding treasures of this world.
And by this I don't mean you can't have nice things. No where in the bible does it say, "thou shall not drive a nice car" or "thou shall not go on vacations." Having nice things is perfectly fine, as long as you don't worship them.
I also recently read Dave Ramsey and Rachel Cruze's book Smart Money, Smart Kids (I HIGHLY recommend this book for anyone, with or without kids). But there is one quote in that book that has stood out to me since,
"It's ok to own nice things. It's not ok for nice things to own you."
Meaning, as long as it's in the budget, having nice things does not make you a bad person. As long as you don't find your self worth in them.
Ironically enough, in the middle of writing this over a couple days, today in church I heard a sermon exactly on this topic (God works in funny ways, doesn't He?). In church we read Matthew 6:19-21, which does an awesome job of explaining the sin of coveting,
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where you treasure is, there your heart will be also" Matthew 6:19-21
In fact, I love all of Matthew 6 for this topic. It explains how much God doesn't want us to value things, but value Him and our relationship with HIm.
I'll be the first one to admit that I don't live anywhere close to a complete Christian minimalistic life. And I'm never going to be perfect. But even slowly getting rid of a few bags of trash has given me a clearer vision of what God is doing in my life.
God doesn't want us to hold onto and become attached to things. He wants us to hold onto and be attached to Him! So that's what I'm challenging myself with in the coming months. Challenging myself to not find my value in material possessions, but in my Lord and Savior!
This blog post was endorsed and inspired by the one and only, original Ashley Clute.
xo, Adrienne
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