A-B-C-D-clutter

The month of February was deemed “declutter month” in the Langness household. Inspired by some friends, we got rid of one thing every day corresponding to the day of the month. So on the first, we got rid of one item; on the second two items, and on down the line to twenty-eight. (Side note: my “I-could-have-lived-in-the-Depression-era husband chose February because it is the shortest month and therefore we had fewer items to get rid of.) I, however, loved it! There was something victorious about cleaning out my kitchen drawers that were so full of towels they were difficult to shut and throwing out those old college notes that I hadn’t look at since class ended. We cleaned out our dressers and our closets, kitchen cupboards and drawers (can anyone tell me why I had five whisks? And guess how often I use them? Never is a good guess), jewelry boxes (my jewelry box; Jordan doesn’t have one), bookshelves, totes full of high school memorabilia… All in all, it was a freeing experience, this decluttering.

As we moved into March, I still had a bit of this decluttering bug. I continued to get rid of random items; I continued cleaning out my dresser drawers and closest, because frankly, I still have more clothes than I wear. And as I did this, two phrases kept repeating in my head:

“If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.” – 2 Timothy 6:8

“Live simply so others can simply live”

I was reminded of the necessity of simplicity. Of the blessedness that comes with being content rather than constantly comparing and constantly wanting more. Of how much we still have and how we still have more than we need while others are eating rocks tonight to fill their stomachs with something. Of how the Lord has blessed us to be a blessing; to be His literal hands and feet by feeding those who are hungry and clothing those who are naked and sharing the good news of His salvation with thirsty souls.

And to be honest, for a while, I was silently, inwardly, gloating about our decluttering month, about our owning less. 

But then, I was struck by these words as I read through this familiar passage –

“If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.” – 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (emphasis mine)

Living simply is wonderful. Giving of what we have – whether it’s time, money, talents – is what the Lord wants us to do. But it isn't just that. It can’t be just that.

Love is at the root of it all. We should “live simply so others can simply live” because we love those people. We love them as Jesus has called us to love them – more than ourselves - which means denying ourselves certain pleasures and desires. It means making their burden our burden; so that what troubles them troubles us. We weep with them. We rejoice with them. We invite them into our home. We associate with those who aren't like us. We get out of our comfort zone. 

I’m still learning how this looks lived out in my own life. I’ll always be learning what it looks like in my life. But I do know one thing, there’s no boasting and gloating in love. So the best place for me to begin is on my knees, praying for the Lord to make me new.

 "'A new commandment I give to you, love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.'" – John 13:34-35