A life that is defined by simplicity is a life that is lightweight and low maintenance. This enables us to hear and move quickly according to God’s call. A life that is complex leads to confusion and stress. Responding to the call to simplicity will resolve the complexities of life.

In the character of God we see wholeness, consistency and faithfulness but this is not translated into predictability of behaviour – God is wonderfully creative. Simplicity makes us responsive to different situations and stimuli in a consistent yet creative way because we are not weighed down with complicated internal demands.

According to Thomas Aquinas, God is infinitely simple; He is not made up of many parts, so wherever He is present, He is present in His entirety.

If God is always present in His entirety, the issue about God being both creator and redeemer, both almighty and personal, is a simple one – He is with us; Emmanuel, He is here. The question is what are we going to do about it? The smallest child with the most limited vocabulary can get this and yet it is deeply profound – we can spend our whole lives thinking about it, digging deeper and seeking to engage in His presence. As we walk in simplicity we increasingly reflect the nature of God and are released to be ‘present’ in every encounter, every experience, every moment.

Jesus offers us simplicity - simple solutions. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. The direction of his life is the means of orientating our lives. His truth-defined reality defines our reality. He is the creator God – His life is not dependant on anyone else and my life is dependant on him alone. If we open up the well of every word of Jesus we find waters of life flowing. Jesus is the living word, discovered in the written word. What is Jesus saying? That’s what we are discovering in our lives – what is Jesus saying? This keeps us out of complexity.

Internal simplicity means we have an uncomplicated way of seeing the world, we understand our place within the world and we have a simple way of acting.

In Philippians, Paul has found a place of internal simplicity that releases him to live in freedom whatever his circumstances are.

 “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:11-13)

The simplicity of Jesus sets us free to live a life of freedom and fullness.

Simplicity starts with the internal life; if the inner life is ordered this will manifest in the outer life. As followers of Jesus the inner life needs to be ordered by the words of Jesus. This leads to the outer life becoming more attractive so we can live in abundance without becoming like a western consumer. We look like we are in need yet we are able to live in celebration - free from the fear of not having enough. In simplicity we are genuinely able to celebrate gifts without becoming connected to them as possessions – they are elements of creation that are to be celebrated. So we are able to celebrate in our abundance when those around us have nothing, and celebrate another’s abundance when we are in want.

Mike and Sally clear their house on a regular basis, giving, sharing, getting rid of things that have built up over time, the extras that are not necessary to do what God has called them to do. That’s not to say that we have to get rid of the fun stuff. We need to have tools that enable both service and celebration in our lives and communities. It’s about having a life and thoughts that are not crowded by complications.

All the great spiritual divines speak of attending to God and to those they encounter – what is God doing? What is God doing with this person? How can I be of most help to this person? How can I love this person? Jesus only did what he saw the Father doing. So we attend to the person in front of us. It’s a lifelong journey, discovering and doing what the father is doing.

Simplicity is focussing on one thing – being with Him. If we do that, we are moving, we are living.