Whew…what a time we’re living in! There seems never to be a dull moment, and by that I do not refer merely to frivolity. Seriously, have you ever felt that for every few steps forward that you make, something always seems to happen, that takes you back a couple, and you end up again at square one? I swear! Every time I get that euphoric all’s well feeling, I can bet my bottom dollar…something’s around the bend, that’s going to throw me off kilter and if I am not careful, I end up in a state of constant anxiety.

Reflecting upon this challenge, I have come to realize that a significant contributor to its livelihood, if you will, is the fact that too many of us have bought hook, line and sinker, into the lie of status-consumerism, that has made of our worlds, viz. the personal, the familial and the societal, a conundrum of oughts from which it has become difficult, to extricate ourselves. Life has somehow evolved into a series of complex and complicated doings and seeking to become, that occupy our every waking moment. The ability to stop and smell the roses [or if you prefer, the coffee], seems to be an action/activity of a bygone era. Hustle & Gain, perhaps even more than Covid-19, has been elevated to pandemic status and here’s the thing…that required for its eradication is not a vaccine but rather, a more disciplined, calmer and slower pace to life and living. With the various upheavals going on in the world, it seems to me to me that a call is being issued by that beyond which we can glibly explain, for humankind to re- acquaint ourselves with i.e. learn again to appreciate…to savor even, the gift and blessing of Simplicity.

Have you noticed the increase in the number of young-older folk, experiencing symptoms of dementia?  These are not old-old people I’m talking about here, but those like me…just arriving onto the senior platform. We are caught in that tension between the already and the not-yet of the human journey towards wholeness…the blissful eternity for which our souls long. We are failing however, to understand that the journey is an integral part of the goal…that eternity begins here, now, not with loads of accomplishments, possessions and positions but minds and attitudes buttressed by a slower, simpler way of being, open to and therefore, able to welcome the daily incursions of the divine that inspire times of refreshing amidst life’s arid cadences.

Many of my peers, even those who declare themselves ‘not religious’, do in fact profess a longing [even covertly] for the fulfillment of scriptural texts like Revelation 21:4 with the promise of the former things, giving way to the euphoria of no tears, no pain and finally, no death. Reading and meditating on such texts, I can without fear, affirm my own response to be a resounding Maranatha…Come Lord! But, truth be told, the coming of the Lord seems to be in increments. Alright, hold on! Let me explain before you brand me as heretic. The incremental comings to which I refer is in a sense, wrapped up in our preparation; that is to say, the ways in which we make ourselves ready for that ultimate coming, by intentionally, increasingly, adopting lifestyles that create space…make room, for the divine. Such lifestyles therefore, cannot be cumbered with muchness and manyness; that is why Simplicity beckons…invites us into a way of living that rather than being anchored to the world’s ought, is rooted and grounded in God’s love; the only way to fully embrace that latter, is by releasing our grip on the former.

As I write, there are a number and variety of situations for which my physical presence and prayerful support are required. In some of these, there is very little that I can do, and so engaging the ministry of presence is that which I hope, will convey the support that [too many] words are unable to. The ability to listen…to hear words that issue from lips but are conveyed more explicitly in the language of the body, becomes important at these times. I am learning how to watch eyes and hands, how to hear the words spoken in tears, that at times express so much more than those issuing from one’s vocal chords. There are just so many elements to living fully…abundantly in this time, that underscores the need for Simplicity…a way of being that offers to Lord, carte-blanche license into our worlds and by that empowering, facilitates our tasting, seeing and sharing the rich goodness that no money or worldly connections, can acquire.

So, in the final analysis, it is for Simplicity – unencumbered openness to God rather than the world, for which our souls long. I firmly believe that when we can begin to shed the various loads and attachments we have heaped upon our being; when we rid ourselves of the gods of this world’s ought, that we will be able to experience the inebriating joy of the Lord’s coming[s] and so make ourselves ready for the ultimate One.

Until next time then, continue to stay safe and well as you remain in His grip.

Grace+