Simplicity through Sacred Rhythms

Simplicity is a way of life into which I feel like Jesus is inviting our body. Given the name, you would think simplicity would be just that: simple. However, in the hurried chaos of our world, it can easily seem complicated. I would propose a life of simplicity is in fact simple, but that does not mean it is easy. A life of simplicity is countercultural, so there are barriers to cross and sacrifices that must be made. I encourage you to spend some time thinking about what comes to your mind when you hear the word “simplicity” and then ask God what He thinks about it. 

I think simplicity definitely has implications on our material possessions - Jesus was not nearly as concerned with belongings as we are (Mark 6:8-9). Therefore, we should consider if God might be asking us to give up any possessions or be more generous. What God has been bringing to mind when I think about simplicity, however, is the deeper tone and pace of our lives. 

We can easily separate concepts that seem different in our minds, like God’s love and His wrath or simplicity and busyness. Jesus, on the other hand, was able to fully hold two seemingly different things at once, like grace and truth (John 1:14). I believe the Father is inviting us to hold simplicity in the depths of our hearts so that it may flow into our lives no matter how busy or uneventful they look. The simplicity of the Kingdom is far greater than the restrictions of our schedules.

I think one of the best ways to begin incorporating simplicity in our lives is to establish sacred rhythms which set our gaze on Jesus because if anyone is a master of simplicity, it is Him. Whether you are the kind of person who plans everything or takes going with the flow to the greatest extreme, we all form rhythms of life, and those rhythms are often what form us. So, if we are all being formed by rhythms, then sacred rhythms lead to sanctification - the process of being formed more into the holy image of Jesus.

So what are sacred rhythms? While I could give you a list of practices (and I will give a few examples), I think there is way more space to build a life of sacred rhythms with God than me just listing off ideas. What makes a rhythm sacred is God’s presence within what you are doing. You can do all the spiritual disciplines but still lack sacredness within them because sacred means connected with God. We see Jesus show us this in Matthew 6 when he speaks on fasting. So, while rhythms of worship, Scripture, prayer, fasting, meals with community, solitude, etc. can be sacred, they only are to the degree that the presence of Jesus saturates them. It is Jesus’ presence in our rhythms which makes them holy - not the activity itself. I cannot think of a better way to create sacred rhythms, then, than to invite Jesus into the process with you. Rather than giving you limited ideas of what rhythms to implement in your life, I invite you to sit at the feet of Jesus and ask Him what sacred rhythms should mold your life. In His presence, you can dream with God and ask Him to help you design the details of your day. Ask Him what to do with you mornings, afternoons, and evenings and then listen. When you ask the Father what to do with your time, do it obediently, and then do it repeatedly with Him, you have found yourself a sacred rhythm. My hope and prayer is that the Holy Spirit would minister to you in the space you give Him and lead you into new and refreshing rhythms that lead to a life of simplicity and fullness.

Author | Michael Weidner