Simple Living - Blessed Tomorrow

Red teapot, white cup on rustic table next to wooden chair on a porch with trees in the background — Photo by: Jorge Garcia

Living simpler is a commitment to intentional living and care for the resources we are given. Get started with One Home One Future.

For everyone in the world to live as an average American would take the resources of more than 5 planet earths. Let that sink in for a minute. For me to live as I do means there is not enough for my global neighbors. Over consumption has resulted in a changed climate and an anxious world. And all of our faith traditions have warned us! In the Quran (104:2-104:6, 74:14-74:15) and the Torah (Ecclesiastes 5:10 ff, Proverbs 15:27, 22:9) greed is denounced and wealth warned against. In the Bible, Jesus spoke 288 times about money in the Gospels and shared parables such as “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God” (Matthew 19:24).

Somewhere along the way, we have been convinced that more stuff will make our lives easier and happier. But research, and our own experiences, tell a different story. When we spend regular time outside we are physically, mentally, and spiritually healthier, and smarter. The sounds of the birds, wind and water settle our spirits. Walking, hiking, kayaking, biking, and gardening are good for our bodies. The ground and everything in creation is sacred, and connects us with the Divine. And, as we hear in Job (12:7-10), we can learn from the animals and plants. The more-than-human world has so much to teach us about science, math, systems, balance, simplicity, and more.

As people of faith, we are called to be thoughtful about every decision we make. “Do I really need this? How was/is creation impacted? Does this support a beautiful life for my fellow humans?” Acknowledging that oftentimes the answers to these questions are not clear or simple, we make the best decisions we can.

Intentionally living, moving away from more things and toward a sustainable and simple life, is how we care gently for God’s creation, work toward climate solutions, and take care of ourselves and our families. This month, One Home One Future invites us to consider changes toward a more simple life.

Spend more time outside. Plant vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Learn more at Create a Community Garden. Take regular walks, hikes, or bike rides. Spend time at city, state or national parks and nature preserves. Spend time on or next to bodies of water. Learn more at Care for our Water. Learn about and observe the birds, trees, plants, critters and insects native to your area. Learn more at Native Species, Healthy Creation.
Reduce purchasing. Choose experiences (museums, festivals, concerts, hiking, book club) over things. Wait at least 24 hours before buying something new. Buy locally made and natural gifts that will last and bring joy. Repair broken items whenever possible. Borrow or rent things from the library or a friend. Shop at second-hand stores or online. Support co-ops and farmers markets. Learn more at Food and Faith.
Make sustainable choices. Choose naturally made, compostable, recyclable or made from recycled materials, avoid single-use plastics. Learn more at Plastic-Free Month. Celebrate sustainably. Learn more at Sustainable Holidays.