As I started to read this book I was open to the possibilities of what was to come. For years, dating back to before our move to Seminary and actually before Seminary was a thought in my mind, I have been telling my wife that we need to “simplify our lives.” By that I have always meant get rid of crap that we have accumulated over the years. To that she would respond where would we start? All I could respond is, “look around and pick”. Was it the kids toys that they had to many, thanks to us and relatives? Was it in the teaching materials that I still have from 99-00, my last year of teaching. Or perhaps it is some of the craft materials that we have. The list could and does go on and on.
As I read the book and the statistics I marveled at the fact that the average food items travel 1200 miles to get to our table. That is a shock. We get so used to going to the store and buying and not even thinking about the where and why. I have an allergy to MSG and so for 13 years now have been very cautious as to what we buy so that the food does not contain it, but that is the extent to the thought put into the food we buy. Definitely something we will have to start thinking about.
The stats on the over consumption in the US alone should kick us in the butt. Capitalism is not a bad thing. The fact that we call ourselves a country founded on Christian values should mean something. In that, the people with the money should be giving back and quit spending on unnecessary things. As a white middle class man I will say that we have lived a privileged life. Before Seminary we had a pretty secure life, roof, food on the table, new toys for the kids. Since moving here we have been forced to simplify things as money would allow and it has been a humbling experience. Trips to the food shelf are especially eye opening. But we have learned to do more with less. We get by because we have simplified much, but there is still work to be done.
What I appreciated from the book the most is the theological take on the issues. The scripture references are great and lend light on just how God wants us to care for creation and how creation is caring for us. Calvin DeWitt’s six principles for applying are great because they get to the heart of simpler living and what we must do. Ultimately, “we must practice what we believe” p.179. He simply lays it out and supports it with scripture. Richard Foster follows those up with is own ,“The outward expression of simplicity”. These are 10 things to consider that show our outward simplicity. As I see them if we consider these when purchasing items we will be able to determine if they are needs or wants. Foster warns against making them 10 commandments rather they should be used as guidelines.
Finally, I really liked the focus throughout on how we are to do this and care about our communities and how that includes local and global economies as well. It is often easy to get caught up in our own day to day stuff and feel like we cannot have an impact. “Every action has an opposite and equal reaction.” “Energy is neither lost nor gained it is merely transferred.” Two axioms from science that apply quite well here. We can never know our impact, however if we do nothing that we are sure nothing is accomplished.
I will finalize this post with a thought that has been rattling in my brain since last August, feel free to use it in sermons it is not copywrited. Everyone is so focused on our “carbon footprints” right now. How big a carbon footprint did the president make attending the Olympic meetings stumping for Chicago and such? I would like us to think about it in a different light. What about worrying about what kind of “Christian Footprint” you are leaving behind. Are you loving others? Are you taking care of your neighbor? Are you caring for God’s creation? Are you living simpler to do these things? Or are you consuming and not caring? When all is said and done what will your "Christian Footprint" look like?
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