It's easier for us to be fruitful when our lives have less clutter, less unimportant things and a lot less complications. The great thing is that, even in a world full of distractions and many things that catch our attention, it's possible to live a focused, simple life.
Want to live a focused, simple life? Here are some tips to help you do it.
1. Focus on God's purposes
Having a life without purpose is like driving a car without a steering wheel: It's bound to go nowhere. Having the wrong purposes in life, however, is like driving a car with a steering wheel but with no sense of direction: It's bound to go to the wrong places. It best to have the right purpose in life.
The right purpose for living can only be found in God, who has given life to everything that is living. And since He's the one who gave us life, He alone knows the best purpose for it – a purpose that Christ Jesus openly said for our benefit:
"Jesus said ... 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 22:37-40)
2. Fear the Lord
Another way for us to live simple lives is to live with fear of the Lord. No, it's not living in constant dread of God's judgment – because all who are in Christ have been justified and are freed from condemnation. It's about living in reverent awe of our mighty God who is sovereign and is above all things. The writer of Ecclesiastes, after studying about life's purposes, summarised it all for us in Ecclesiastes 12:13-14.
"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man's all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil."
3. Be content with your lot
In order for us to live a life focused on God's purposes, it would help to be content with our lot in life, and to be content with what God gives us. We should beware of the deception to desire more than what we need, so that "we could do more for the Lord." God Himself gives us what we need specifically for what He wants us to do. Consider what Paul said in Philippians 4:11-13:
"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 all this through him who gives me strength."
Also, consider Ecclesiastes 5:19, which tells us, "when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God."
Paul also encourages us to make it our goal to live quiet lives, minding our own business, working with our own hands, and not meddling in others' affairs (see 1 Thessalonians 4:10-12).
