Simplicity

This time away for me has not been a completely 'silent' retreat. I have spent the time in prayer and reflection but also paying attention to the people around me. Both the time in prayer and the time out of it have been important ways of 'listening' for God's voice. I had a chat with a resident-guest (long staying guest) at the inn where I am staying. This gentleman came to settle in Cameron Highlands by choice seven years ago. He stays in a simple room at the Inn (in fact a kind of storeroom). He lives a simple life - has given up his car, has no need of a cell phone....and walks or takes public transport wherever he wants to go. His 'work' is also more of a hobby than a profession. He takes visitors jungle trekking. The charge is a only a token 'donation', much less than is charged by the professional tour operators and guides. Why this choice? Well, as he says, he is seeking a life away from the stress of city life....he has experienced not being able to sleep well, carrying worries and fears....all the baggage common to people who are seeking 'more'. Since his life situation permits such a change (he is single and has no family commitments) he has chosen the simple life. Naturally, it took some time to adjust. The first two years he felt like an 'outsider' among the small community here - neither fully belonging here nor back in the city. However, that has changed and he has found a 'home' doing what he has always hoped to and no longer burdened by the 'oughts' and 'shoulds' that trap many others.
The spiritual discipline of simplicity has always been a challenge for me....not that I am used to living lavishly, but just because I grew up in a comfortable middle class home where everything I needed was readily available. I do believe the discipline of simplicity will be helpful in my own spiritual formation. It is one that will teach me ...first of all humility, also patience, and most importantly to grow in compassion for those who have to make do with so much less materially just because of the circumstances of their lives. It is not easy to live as it were 'counter culture'. This has always been the call for Christians in order to be witnesses to the fact that our trust and hope do not come from this world. Initially, it will feel strange....it may also make us 'stand out' in an uncomfortable manner. What will others think? That we are 'failures'? That we haven't the determination to 'make it' in life? Because of all these voices, we have to hear another Voice....and believe the truth of that Voice, above and beyond all others. In his lifetime, Jesus was constantly in touch with his Father's voice. How else could he live as he did...with no place to lay his head...teaching a Way that seemed blasphemy to the religious leaders....how else could he bring glory to his Father by completing the work his Father gave him to do? (John 17: 4)
We choose simplicity not primarily to stand out among the others and to be noticed. As we hear and follow God's Voice there will come a time when our lives will simplify. There will be fewer attachments to the many possessions we think we really 'need' to survive! There will be a quieting down of heart and life as more and more of our real needs are met by the Lord himself.