Christianity and Minimalism
Before you read on:
This week has been pretty long and draining with school, work, preparing to move for the third time in the last two years, and personal matters. I have a half-written post for this week, but I will share it later in the week. Until then, I pray that this post I wrote for my first blog in 2016 will be of encouragement to you. Grace and peace on this fine Sunday, friends.
To be honest, the clash between Christianity and New Age religion freaks me out a little bit. Conversely, the intertwining of New Age religion and Christianity is an even scarier thought. Christ called his followers to deny themselves, die to themselves, reject this world and its passions; yet so often, I find that many believers hold tight to the things this world can offer. I should be more specific and say that we hold onto what sin has to offer. It makes me wonder how people feel looking at our lives; if we build walls out of things, how can we welcome people in? After all, Jesus does call us to a life of humble hospitality.
Christians are to be recognized by their love for God and for people, not their love of things. I see many people, particularly in the millennial generation, who reflect this lifestyle. Many millennials have adopted a new lifestyle called minimalism. I honestly think this is a great practice...when done for the right reasons. It could be argued that those who practice minimalism live lives that glorify God more than those on the opposite spectrum who idolize material possessions. Is this sound doctrine? Peek beneath the surface and find out.
“For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” {1 Samuel 16:7b}
Outward action is in vain if the heart is not oriented in direct line with Christ. God does not look for someone who just denies the passions of this world, but someone who is transformed. Love yields obedience, and only a changed heart can glorify God by keeping His commandments. That’s the issue with some New Age millenials: they appear to be living for others while they actually live with themselves in mind. I know because I’ve been there. However, many Christians claim to be living for others, but they are obviously living for themselves. I know because I’ve been there, too. There must always be a god, whether the one true God or man. It’s up to us to choose who is god: God or me? It seems that both New Age religion and many Christians choose to be their own god, regardless of outward actions.
With this in mind, it makes me question who non-Christians will believe when they look at the lives of New Age millennials versus the lives of Christian hoarders. The New Age millennial who claims to be ridding themselves of material possessions to “become one with everything”? The Christian who claims to worship only Jesus, but fills a big house with many things? New Age believers reflect what they claim to believe. It’s time that Christians also practice what we preach. I am just as guilty of holding onto things as the next person, so it makes me wonder if I could love people better when I stop hiding behind my stuff. I will be honest: I hoard books. I own at least fifty books, and I don’t even have a shelf to put them on. I’ve only read about a dozen of the ones I own, but I keep buying more. Why? It makes me feel smart. It makes me feel fulfilled. But fulfillment should come from Christ, not from knowledge or things. Let’s ask God to break down our walls of clothes, books, videogames, education, music, food, sports--whatever it is we are holding onto--so we might instead be filled with Him.