I sat down this afternoon, determined to write about my trip to Cambodia. But this is the piece that unfurled instead.
Because whenever I think for more than a moment about my recent visit to the Khmer kingdom, my proud smile melts into a heart-wrenching longing. You see, the trip was the beautiful, incredible, amazing adventure I had hoped for. It was also devastating.
Simple living brings more than joy.
When we talk about simple living as one of the keys to real joy, we only capture half of it. We capture the culprit behind false joy, the consumerist compulsion based on the premise that new things will increase our happiness. And we are right– more things does not mean more joy.
But fewer things does not always mean more joy, either. Fewer things means more mental space. Fewer things means fewer buffers between us and the difficult reality of the world in which we live. Fewer things means freedom to engage, to come out of hiding.
And this is what I’ve wanted. It’s just that my heart breaks, too.
When we hide behind our full closets, our busy schedules and our false sense of importance, the devastating truths about the world vanish into the distance. We overwhelm ourselves with often minute troubles so as not to be overwhelmed by the very real pain of others. If my plate is full, maybe there won’t be room for someone else’s troubles to be heaped on.
Yet those of us who believe the call of our lives (and our communities) is to care for the hungry, the hurting, the orphan and the widow, or for those who are enslaved in body and soul, find ourselves entangled in a dilemma. We can close our eyes and barely dip ourselves into the world, or we can strip ourselves of those protective layers and stare at it straight in the face.
Simple living has allowed me to travel more, and for that I am grateful. But it has also allowed me to pay attention: to wake up to my own role in the world’s injustices, to the challenges experienced by the less fortunate. God calls us to care for the least of these. And the less burdened I am by unnecessary possessions, the more clearly I see my privilege in the face of their pain.
We press deeper for hope
This isn’t another vote in the direction of “ignorance is bliss”– I am grateful for the ways I’ve peeled back the layers to find myself, albeit devastated, readier than ever to be effective. Simple living can lead us to break apart so that when we are put back together, we are different. The continual shattering of our self-centered perception is necessary for us to move forward in hope that is real.
Part of this hope is allowing the new-found space, which used to be occupied by the clutter we’ve cleared away, to be filled with more meaningful things. And meaningful things are worth weeping over.
We loved Cuenca! It is stunning. I think you’d really enjoy Quito. It has some of the most beautiful architecture I’ve seen in Latin America.
I was in the beautiful city of Cuenca and then part of my time in a small town outside of Cuenca called Tarqui 🙂 that’s so neat you had the opportunity to spend some time in Quito! That’s a city I have never had a chance to visit (well beyond the airport!) and would love to someday 🙂
For sure. And I think when we face our privilege, we have to make a decision about whether we are going to do something about it.
Amen! So good to hear part of your story, Jenaya! Where were you in Ecuador? My husband and I volunteered with a ministry there for about a month in Quito. 🙂
I’m with you on this. I have read a lot of interesting think-pieces on minimalism lately and many of them revolve around how only the very privileged can practice this lifestyle (some even going into this sort of angrily). I do try to live the most minimalist lifestyle I can in many ways, but I am definitely aware of the privilege that allows me to do so, and I do recognize how much more aware it makes me of that privilege.
Yes, yes! This post speaks to my heart-I returned from mission work in Ecuador a few months back and I saw how simple living (which was welcomingly forced upon me as I brought my one suitcase of personal belongings for the next 9 months of my life!) God used that blessed time to slow down and see-away from the constant business and overwelming amount of stuff-those things that are really important in life and what God has given me a passion to do. And one of those eye opening things was how God’s heart is burdened for those most vulnerable in our world. So yes-I could not agree with you more 🙂 How encouraging to hear and see someone else experience the same!!
Thanks Roberta! It definitely is an ultimately good cycle. Glad you’ve experienced it too.
Thanks so much Kathryn. I really appreciate it!
I have found that I am more able to care for others as I reduce my load of physical possessions. As I think of others I am more willing to give away what I have, and more reluctant to purchase more *things*. Thank you for a beautiful post!
Very thoughtful post! 🙂 I love hearing your take on living with less & I agree with you, it does create more time for us to work on our passions and help others. Thanks for sharing!
xoxo
Kathryn
http://www.downhomedamsel.com