In Pursuit of the Simple Life - It's Just not that Simple

Every once in a while I pull a book off of the shelf that I have previously read to see if there is something that I missed in the first walk through. I look for sections that I did not highlight or underline. Was there some miniscule thought in between previous notes of what once seemed important? Was there a concept, an idea, something hiding in the gaps that was unseen? Funny how there is always a nuget of truth that jumps out at me and I wonder how I missed it the first time. Maybe I didn't need to understand it before, or maybe I was not in the place where I could comprehend the thoughts of the author. Whatever the case, it happened again.


What does it mean to live a simple life? Is it possible given the noise and chaos in our society? How can it be done? Should it be done? Max DuPree wrote "Leadership Jazz" in the early 1990's and reflected on things he learned about leadership based on his personal experiences.

In one section he spends an incredible amount of time answering the question "Where do ethics and leadership intersect?" He focuses on the personal ethics of the leader: "Leaders exemplify personal restraint in their behavior." He pulls a cautionary statement from Warren Bennis and Ian Mitroff (The Unreality Industry) regarding the self-restraint of leaders in the following: "Western societies are threatened, they say, by 'their own self-inflicted, endless pursuit of mindless pleasures and trivialities, e.g., drugs, TV, the endless consumption of junk food, useless material items, and trivializing ideas.'"

All of the above is a good sound bite. The next quote is what jumped out at me: "How to discover the ethics of simplicity in our capitalist system has become a serious problem." Obviously, we were not listening as indicated by the housing and real estate fiasco of recent years.

We should reap the benefit of our hard work, ingenuity, and creativity. Mankind should be free to pursue dreams and ideas. We have all felt the benefits of someone elses ideas in medicine, technology, engineering, science, etc. These are the things that move us forward; they are good and helpful for humanity.

However, there are times when we must stop and ask some difficult questions. Just because we have the freedom to act in certain ways in a capitalistic society does not mean it is ethical and right. It is not always beneficial and good for humanity to profit at the expense of others. But, where is the line? When do we say, enough?

And, this is where I am; struggling to define the boundaries. As a person of faith, I feel there is something more important, something different that is required of me if I call myself a Christian. Shouldn't I live differently?

Christ's triumphant entrance just before His death was on the back of a borrowed jackass. Common man decorated the street in front of Him with palm branches. He was born in a food trough in a barn. His parents were vagabonds in a foreign country while hiding from a tyrant king. His earthly father was a carpenter who made just enough money to provide for his family. His best friends were a bunch of misfits, harlots, and crooked tax collecters. He was unjustly killed in His early 30's, but His name and teachings still echoe throughout all of humanity today.

I am not going out and trading in my 1999 Camry on a jackass, but I hope you understand my point. I think simplicity has a lot to do with my priorities and what I value. I have only "heard" what I believe to be God speak to me one time. What I heard was "follow Me as I lead you." I have made my fair share of mistakes while on this journey, but those words continue to haunt me. I am simply trying to follow God as He leads.

I hope your journey is full of adventure, but I really hope you simply follow God. And if you see me on the back of a jackass it may just mean that my Toyota is in the shop.

Bless you, my friends!

The Influence of the Unconscious Voice

I am becoming more keenly aware of the influence of my unconscious voice. You know, that first thought that leaps into your mind when you encounter something new or strange? It's occasionally that voice that we try to stiffle as it bypasses the pre-frontal lobe and speaks without our permission. Perhaps age has something to do with it, but I find myself not wanting to control my mouth or my judgements. My wife and daughter are constantly shaking their heads at me saying, "you shouldn't say that." My son-in-law just laughs in appreciation of my frustration with the current state of affairs. While I'm not a full-blown Libertarian, I find myself agreeing with that perspective more often of late.

"Blink" (Malcolm Gladwell) brings to light the influence of our "adaptive mind" on our perceptions of the world around us. Our unconscious mind is developed by our experiences in life and encounters with the people that make up our world. Listening to this voice is both good and bad. It protects us and it also can lead us astray from the truth. As in all things, we must find the tipping point of when to listen and when to ignore; when to speak and when to be quiet.

Early in the book, Gladwell notes that the speeches of Warren Harding were once described as "an army of pompous phrases moving over the landscape in search of an idea." Harding was the "tall, dark, and handsome" president who died suddenly in his second year of office. He managed to get elected to office because he was the lesser of two evils in the Republican party. Harding was the one who "looked" more presidential.

My point in this brief note is to highlight how important it is that we are aware of this inner voice and its influence on our perspective of our sense of reality. Where did it come from? How did it develop? Can I always trust it?

It feels good to speak what's on my mind. It's a freeing experience! But should I say whatever thought comes into my head? Are there times when I should engage the pre-frontal area that God gave me and filter those impressions and feelings?

Not that I give a lot of speeches, but I do not want my words to be "pompous phrases moving over the landscape in search of an idea." I'd like to think that once in a while I say something of substance and meaning. I'd like to say things that are true, insightful, and valuable to those who hear. It's just that given the current political climate it's very hard not to yell at the television or radio. I mean, what are they thinking?!

Okay, I'm done... 'nuff said.

Bless you, my human friends. Be careful which voice you listen to.

Processing the Meaning and Purpose of Life

In the last month there have been 2 deaths of people that I have known. The first was a young man who was 34 years old. He left behind a wife and 2 small children. John was in my first youth group many years ago. John was well loved and will be missed by his friends and family. He had a significant impact on all of those around him. I had lost touch with him afer he left college in the early 90's. It was bitter sweet to reconnect with his friends and family at the funeral. While I was sitting at the funeral, I thought how difficult it is for someone so young to pass away so unexpectedly. A simple surgery procedure can go wrong all too quickly. Completely unexpected. Utterly painful for all of those left behind.

Just the other day an old friend from college passed away from complications following heart surgery. I remember Donnie from my early days of college back in 1972. He was full of energy and life. Don had a tremendous passion to share Christ with everyone he met. He maintained that zeal all through his life and ministry. The impact he had on other people is evident by the hundreds of comments on his Facebook page and that of his wife, Brenda. He was deeply loved and appreciated.

I am still processing the loss of Donnie. I can only imagine what his family is going through. Even though we know that death is only the beginning, the loss of a loved one is a challenging wound to heal. Donnie and I lost touch after leaving college and recently reconnected through Facebook. It is comforting to know that he impacted so many lives. It is equally uncomfortable when I realize that we were the same age.

Death is a mysterious path that we all will travel one day. My wife and I were just discussing this subject this morning. Donna and I are on the other side of our time on earth. It makes us think about the important things in life. It also gives me pause to consider death. Really, what is on the other side of life? What will it be like? What will it be like to face a holy God? In my humanity, I wonder if I am ready for that reality. I know what Scripture says; I have heard all of the sermons on eternal life. It does not stop the questions. Death is the one experience I have not faced. But I will one day.

That is the one thing that all humans have in common; we will die one day. Our physical bodies will wear down and we will return to the earth. Death cannot be experienced vicariously through the loss of another. We experience pain, but not death. We WILL face it on our own and by ourselves. One day we will close our eyes and never open them again. What then? What's next? We must come to grips with this reality.

Age is a not a determining factor for when we will die. It doesn't matter if we are a Christian or an atheist. Death waits for no man (or woman). Death levels the playing field for humanity.

Which brings me to the question of "what is the meaning and purpose of life?" What do I live for? How do I put my life together? If I am going to die one day, I must answer these questions. Please, no sermon quips and no Christianese sound bites. Answer the question for yourself, in your own words. Humanity has been on this quest from day one. Everything we do is about putting our lives together with intention and purpose. When you are in the dark places of life, and the only voice you hear is your own, what do you hear? What do you fear? Where will you place your trust?

If you deeply believe that there is a God, then live your life in such a way that proves that. If you do not believe that there is a God, well, good luck with that. I hope it works out for you. I don't know if I would like to be wrong on that.

I hope that you have answered the questions my human friends. Your life depends on it. How you answer them will determine your destiny.