In the past few days, many of us have been bombarded by the news of failed economy and the endless searching for someone to blame. Some of the more interesting observations have been made by Suze Orman (the loud lady with white teeth). She says (and I am paraphrasing) that all of us who have been greedy and have been driven by a panic to have more than we could afford have fed the financial crisis in which we now find ourselves. I heard Anderson Cooper of CNN say that it is the American Dream that has gotten us to this crisis.
In such an environment, I could not think of a more timely book to read than Richard Foster's Freedom of Simplicity . Although it the book was originally written in 1981, it is more applicable to us than any of the financial help books that are currently on the market. Foster's basis for "finding harmony in a complex world" go far beyond finances to the very heart of what life in Christ was meant to be. As I read the following quotes from Freedom of Simplicity, I am struck by the need for "real" Christianity to offer an alternative to madness in our confused world:
“Contemporary culture is plagued by the passion to posses. The unreasoned boast abounds that the good life is found in accumulation that “more is better.”
“Indeed, we often accept this notion without question, with the result that the list for affluence in contemporary society has become psychotic: it has completely lost touch with reality.”
“Christian simplicity frees us from this modern mania. It allows us to see material things for what they are – goods to enhance life, not to oppress life.”
“Simplicity is a grace, but is also a discipline.”
I find myself in strong agreement with all of this, but at the same time, I find myself caught up in the same whirlpool of greed and the false assumption that possessions will in some way make life more complete. Foster's words are needed medicine for all of us who claim Christianity, but how do we go beyond saying "yes that is good", to a transformation of life?
Perhaps confession is the best option, and perhaps a reminder that both holiness as well as missional should make our lives focused on something other than piling up stuff and adding franticness to my life. I welcome your comments, suggestions, disagreements, etc.
