Common College Life: Living Simply

The title of this post is misleading, because not every college student leads a simple life. This not-so-common concept is one that you may not feel the need to pursue. Say, if your parents pay for every aspect of your life, then you may not see a need to simplify what you have and how you live. On the other hand, perhaps you are a person who lives simply because you must-either because you are paying your own way through school, you come from a family of low income, or you provide for yourself for any other reason. If that's you, then you will probably appreciate this post more than someone who has easy access to everything they desire. Wherever you find yourself on the independence spectrum, keep in mind the idea of simplicity as you continue to read, and by the time you click the 'x' in the top corner of your computer screen perhaps your perspective of living will have altered a bit.

Maybe it's true that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but as a Christian I also believe in absolute truth. I believe there are concepts in this world that contain beauty-or even potential to be beautiful.

I believe joy is beautiful.

I believe humans have potential to be joyful. Therefore, I believe humans have potential to be beautiful.

Another beautiful concept to me is simplicity. Though hard to define, simplicity is so clearly evident when lived out. Perhaps it is better to define this concept with examples rather than a wordy sentence.

A friend of mine has decided not to wear makeup in her wedding. She doesn't want it, but this is not for the reason you'd think. She doesn't find it inherently wrong. Her view is not that cosmetics are craftily molded by Satan himself. She just doesn't need it. She's simply beautiful-inside and out-by the joy of the Lord that has transformed her heart and soul.

I once read about a man who started a business. Starting out small and on his own required his lifestyle to be a frugal one. His budget was tight, but he still managed to pencil in a consistent amount to donate to a ministry in China. As his business grew, so did his income. You would think his budget would alter, and you would be right. He did not increase, however, the amount in which he spent on clothes each month. He didn't upgrade to a bigger house or invest his money in an expensive car. Instead, he sent all of the excess money to the ministry in China-while he still lived off the same amount he did at the beginning of his business venture. He didn't want the extra money, because he knew someone needed it more. He is simply sustained by the heart of Jesus, which, according to John 15, is found through serving and loving other people.

If you're a college student and you've always been downcast at your financial situation, then pick that chin up right now. Praise God that you first, don't have a plethora of material possessions to consume your soul and second, that you have the opportunity to pursue a life of simplicity. God gives us what matters the most in this life: wisdom, grace, hope, peace, patience, self-control, and much else, and our Father gives generously to those that ask with an honest and open heart. Additionally, you are in college-that in itself is a blessing that most twenty-somethings in this world don't have easy access to. You have what matters most: the attributes of God.

If you're a college student and you're not lacking for any worldly desire, then think on the idea of simplicity. Take inventory of what you have, what you need, and perhaps what someone else may need. Be careful that you store up the right riches-the ones that will last. Only those blessings from the Father of Heavenly lights can sustain anyone forever.

What's really unique is that college is the best time to form habits of simplicity. College students aren't supposed to have the best of everything. We're supposed to live in tiny dorms, have families cook us homemade meals, and live off of the campus cafeteria mealplan. Even if you buy your own groceries, you probably pay for just enough to get by. Being a college student is the perfect time to pursue simplicity. College kids are young, passionate, and vibrant. What better stage of life than to set aside material worth and set our hearts on furthering the kingdom of God?

Over the past two years the concept of simplicity has been on my heart and mind, and over time the Lord has slowly but surely molded my heart to be more like His in this area. I've realized that it's not about cleaning out your closet, so to speak. It's not primarily about getting rid of things just for the sake of it. Simplicity is a heart issue. The Scriptures tell us that where our treasure is, so too is our heart. It's about what we value in this life that matters.

Do we want to be known for valuing cars, houses, clothes, and material possessions?

Or is there something more?

Perhaps there is a higher calling to this life.

I think we can take it back to the Greatest Commandment:

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” -Matthew 22:36-40

I think Jesus only cares that we value God and people.

This is a daily struggle for me, and if we're all being honest here, then it's probably a daily struggle for all of us, which when you think it through makes perfect sense. Of course our prideful flesh would fight the biggest part of God's servant heart. If God's intentions for people are to love Him and each other-enough so that Jesus labels them the 'Greatest Commandments-then of course Satan would throw every material possession our way in hopes of tempting us to choose things of the world over things of God.

These two commands are the Greatest-the most important, the most beautiful, and the most impacting. If a person has these two things straight, then every other part of their life will work itself out. A life centered on the heart of God will produce the most beautiful of fruit. When all we want is all God wants, then we won't want things of this world. When we set our gaze on how lovely God is, then anything else automatically pales in comparison.

God calls us to humility when every other part of this world calls us to pride.

A good reminder from C.S. Lewis:

'Humility is not thinking less of yourself. It is thinking of yourself less'.

It seems that we should not be focusing on casting out all of our possessions, but instead we should focus on storing up heavenly ones. When we live lives that value God and people, then by default we will not value anything else. Is it an easy feat? From experience, as I have strived to do so, I would say most certainly not. I'm terrible at it, and I cannot possibly live out love on my own. It's only by the power of the Holy Spirit that enables me to do it at all. Valuing only God and people leaves little room for valuing things of this world. I do not think living like Christ is supposed to be easy, though. That's what makes it so beautiful.

I'm not saying everyone should stop wearing makeup. I'm not even saying that everyone should give everything to a ministry in China. I'm saying that each of us should figure for ourselves what our flesh desires so that the Spirit can show each one of us something more beautiful.

Maybe this is a bit of what Jesus means when He says die to yourself.

Ironically, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Speaking of Jesus, if you're a Christian then you claim to believe in Him and everything that He stands for. His life is the only one you-and I-should be following. If we examine His life, then we see that He had nothing of material worth to attract us to Him. Jesus was a simple guy.

Yet He radiated the most glorious of lights.

P.S.
Today is the first day of the best month of the year. Happy October!