Spring time in most of the world is accompanied by a tremendous amount of growth, both literal and symbolic. Trees grow rampant. People suffering from seasonal depression begin to see light at the end of the tunnel with more and more sunshine. Families spend more time outside, basking in the much needed Vitamin D and a new tan. For the most part, people welcome the spring.
I have a hard time welcoming this season. The growth, for me, particularly in the South, is too much. The trees bloom overnight and create an umbrella-like canopy. The bushes close in on my windows. The grass in the fields grow taller and taller, leaving all too much room for my imagination to fill in what lies lurking beneath.
I feel claustrophobic during the spring. Literally and symbolically.
A few weeks ago I learned that I “score” high on the Spiritual Discipline of Simplicity. I’m a minimalist. I don’t like a lot of stuff, I don’t like having to manage material good, I don’t like the time and energy wasted on keeping my things in any sort of order. I know many people who like to put something in every corner of their home. They make a bare room into a home. But for those of you that have been to my house, you’ll see how, for me, a bare room represents clarity of mind.
For many, the life of simplicity isn’t given much thought. Some limit their spending on possessions because of issues of justice, and all the more for those who have been to an impoverished country. But I’m finding more and more that the less clutter I allow into my life, I am able to draw closer to the mind and Spirit of Christ. I’m intentional about wanting less. The desire for more is crippling (1 Tim. 6:6-10).
Throughout the ages, there have been groups of people who take this to the extreme and vow to live a life of poverty, or solitude so as to be single minded. It is true, simplicity is a virtue. But I don’t necessarily think that having possessions is bad, or that one can’t draw closer to the mind of Christ while having possessions.
I see the benefit to having an abundance of trees and vegitation around us. I mean, they sustain the eco system and particularly provide oxygen to all land animals (humans included). But I guess I still prefer places like the deserts out west or the mile high city where not much grows. I like being able to see long distances. Being able to see what’s in front of me. Being able to know whats around the corner. And, especially, not having to manage the problem of “too much.”
3 Comments
April 14, 2009 at 9:55 pm
You have good thoughts here Joe. My mom would say a cluttered house is a cluttered mind. So we have no memorabilia as my mom throws our everything. It goes if it does not have a place.
I could learn from that. There are so many things I cling to that really have no place in my life. God help me to toss.
May 4, 2009 at 8:19 pm
I think you would like “Freedom of Simplicity” by Richard J Foster. You might have already read this book. I agree with a lack of clutter is an abundance of cleanliness.
June 11, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Rob,
If you are guilty of holding on to “things” , I am in your mothers corner. I have been told that this habit is problematic as it relates to my family. Bye the way, all 3 of my daughters have clutter issues. Go figure!