Don’t get nervous. This isn’t the bait and switch, where the blog about living more simply, turns into a Christian crusade. This is just a little story about me.
I am not going to preach to you, or try to make you believe in God the way I do, or at all, if you don’t.
I was baptized in the Episcopalian church, grew up in that church, got married in that church and baptized my own daughter there. I haven’t always been a church every Sunday girl, but I’ve been to a lot of church services over the course of my life. I have amazing memories about the church I grew up in.
In my life, I have attended church for the following reasons:
- because my parents wanted me to
- because my life was a mess
- because my life was wonderful
- because I thought I should
- because it became a habit
- because I wanted my daughter to know God
While I have had many God moments, most of them did not happen in church. In fact, it recently dawned on me that the way I was experiencing church was getting in the way of me connecting with God. I spent so much time going through the motions, and perfecting the rituals, that I forgot to really understand the bible or get to know God.
The more clutter I clear out, the more meetings I cancel, and the simpler my life becomes, the closer to God I get. Not only that, but some of my favorite bloggers have a deep connection with God. I didn’t read their blogs looking for God, but that is exactly what I found.
I long for the connection that Joshua Becker has with God.
I crave the conviction that Tracie Stier-Johnson has when she talks about how God is working in her life.
They’ve both brought me closer to God.
Why I don’t want to go to church
- I search out the simple and am not finding it in church politics.
- I know too much about church and not enough about the Bible.
- While I am there, I am usually thinking about not being there.
Why I want go to church
- I want to learn about the Bible.
- I want to meet other people that want to learn.
- I want to work with a local church to give back.
There is so much that I don’t know about God and The Bible. (For instance, I didn’t even know if I should capitalize The Bible) With all that I don’t know, of this I am certain;
- I don’t have to be anywhere special to thank God
- God loves me and hears my prayers
- I have more growing to do in my spirituality and relationship with God
- I’ve witnessed people with a great love for God, and that always makes me want to express my love.
I used to think I was supposed to pray a certain way, but now, I know that getting to God can be done any day in my own simple way.
Oh my heart leaps as I read this! I could have hours of conversation with you about this (but you would probably fall asleep or never talk to me again). I promise to not when we skype, but this is IT! WHATEVER brings you closer to G-d, is worth every effort. I support and encourage your open sharing of this on whichever blog you want to post more of this on. I’ll pray that your experience and nearness to G-d grows more ever present. And I understand your complicated history as a member of the Church, so it is for most of us. I SO hope that you find a Church community that is healthy for you. Do you mind telling me where you live? Perhaps I could point you towards a Church community with more of a social-justice orientation or something a bit less “high-church.” So elated that you have shared this with us, allow us to bear the whole of you that you wish to share (at least that is my perspective).
Kristy, I wil for sure have questions for you! Thanks for your sweet comment.
There’s so much I don’t about Christianity; I don’t claim to be a Christian, nor will I ever, but there’s so much to learn.
I wonder, if people got back the stereotypes, would they learn from the values of Christianity? I reckon they would 😉
Stuart, just the history alone of Christianity is a lot to absorb and process. I don’t know if I understand your stereotype comment. Will you elaborate?
Sure, looking at it again, we need some clarification.
Basically, I know now (after self-work) I won’t be a part of any religion. But I also realise that just because I won’t be following any religion, doesn’t mean that I should disregard religion altogether. There’s a lot that can be learned, especially from the history, as you say.
Hope that helps? 🙂
How brave and refreshing to hear your story. Thank you for sharing! It’s really valuable for people to know that minimalism isn’t only about getting rid of stuff. In fact, it’s mostly about making room for more important relationships, including our relationship with God. Blessings to you on your journey! May it be more and more joyful with each new day.
Dave – Thanks. It’s really true. All of my relationships are becoming more important.
Thank you for sharing your story! I was baptized in, and grew up in, the Episcopal church – I have many fond memories there! I still have my books from the Episcopal church and I enjoy reading the familiar prayers, etc. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve drifted away from the Episcopal church, but in the last few years my family and I joined a new church and are very happy. We don’t go every Sunday, but as often as we can. We feel closer as a family when we do this, and we try to pray together at home, which has been a nice evening activity for us. I was just thinking about this last night, and I realized that I have started feeling closer to God lately as well, as a result of working to simplify my life. Amazing that you then wrote on this subject today… Thank you so, so, so much for sharing this part of your journey as well. 🙂
Clara – It’s a sign! 😉
Seriously though, I think God works that way and sends messages through the most obvious channels.
courtney, i’m both humbled and encouraged by this post. it encourages me to continue on my journey and share as much as i can, in hopes that others might learn through what i’m learning.
okay, and i’m not getting all preachy, but i just want to say this … christianity {and yes, that should be capitalized 🙂 } is about RELATIONSHIP. religion is about RULES & LEGALISM. i urge, urge, urge you to find a church that teaches relationship, through the word {or bible, and yes, both should be capitalized}.
when you are in a church that is spirit led … you WILL find God {sorry, i have to actually capitalize that one}.
this is a beautiful post and i SO love how it ties into simplifying your life to find, or hear God. thank you for following your conviction and sharing your heart today!
Thanks Tracie for that! You said my thoughts much better than I could.
Tracie, With as many things as we have in common, it seems only natural that getting to God would be one of them. I don’t comment on your blog much but each of your blog posts move me in some way. I am so grateful for that. Keep em coming!
Wow Tracie, well said!! Relationship, not religion, is what it’s all about. Wonderful, awesome, amazing, beautiful relationship with Father God!! Knowing how much He loves… What a privilege, this relationship, bringing absolute contentment to my everyday life!
This really sounds typical to why I have a distaste for “church,” and religious people. According to the bible, we (believers) are the church. So, it is quite simple to understand that we are to be the church,and not do “church”. Your statement,”In a church that is spirit led, makes no sense, when we are the church. Furthermore, and in all honesty, I don’t think God really cares if we capitilize “The Bible.” This sounds so much like rules (legalism), and it is only your opinion, ans is not essential to faith. God is pleased when we have faith. You are suggesting the writer use specific punctuation, and this is not a topic for an English writing paper. I am not trying to be mean or rude, it’s just the truth. This is the kind of stuff I am so tired of. keep things simple when it comes to matters of faith- love God, and your neighbor as your self, that is it, to simply love, covers everything God desires of us.
Keeping it simple,
Yvette
Courtney, how wonderful that you’ve chosen to share, grow, love and connect simplicity to God. For me, it is not named God, but it is a similar feeling of love — a universal, natural, always present love. I guess the naming of it is less important than finding our own simple way to embrace it.
Thanks Katie, Thanks for spreading that love with your beautiful blog.
I recently found your blog and love the message – including this one regarding God.
Thanks for being so honest and open. And I cried listening to the video “What Love really Means” it was beautiful and her voice is dreamy.
thanks 😉
Linda, That song gets me everytime!
Courtney, I’ve been following you for a few months and after all the encouragement you have given me, I want to encourage you to keep pursuing God in a way that is meaningful to you. God gave each of us a different temperament, so it’s normal that we would relate to God in different ways, depending on our temperament. That’s a partial explanation for why there are so many church denominations–because different temperaments find meaningful worship in different ways. Check out the book, Sacred Pathways, by Gary Thomas for a full discussion of nine “spiritual temperaments” such as naturalists, ascetics, activists, caregivers, etc. (Google “spiritual temperaments” and I think you’ll find a quiz that will show you which style you have.)
In my book, Devotion Explosion, I talk about how I grew closer to God after I quit my “quiet time” because I stopped spending time with God as a duty and started spending time with God because I wanted to. So, I’ve gone through a similar struggle. You have to find what works for you. Blessings on your faith journey!
Christy – Great recommendations. I can’t wait to check out your book. Will you email me a link to that? bemorewithless@gmail.com?
I’ve really been struggling with the whole “to go or not to go” when it comes to church. Your reasons for both sides of the coin really hit home with me.
Sometimes the best answers come when we are still. I wish you much peace, joy and love as you move forward in your spiritual journey. I have seen many friends of different faiths who have done what you talk about in this post and it has opened up space for them to find a divine presence in their life in ways they least expected. blessings to you. 🙂
I have just been discovering this same thing! All my life I have ‘searched ‘ for God, with no success. But, since I’ve begun downsizing, ive found room, and freedom. It’s exciting, isn’t it? And ive also found that many of the blogs that I’m drawn to are by women of faith.
Out goes a bin bag, in comes enlightenment!
Courtney, in my World Religion’s class we were asked to define religion. My answer was faith with politics. Professor said that was spot on. Religion can distort faith with all the rules and regulations. I still feel the comfort of the rituals when I do go to church, but I no longer feel the connection to God. There are so many ways to keep faith and communication to God open. For me, it is seeing the beauty of nature and actually talking to God about his wonderful creation. No, I’m not a nut case! It’s just my way of getting closer to God. It’s one of the ways I pray. The important thing is not which path you take, but just taking the journey.
Courtney,
This is an awesome post and hopefully all readers, Christian and otherwise, will understand its importance in your life.
I write about life balance, and as a Christian, I do mention faith, but I attempt to keep from being too preachy and encourage others to interpret it to whatever their faith is.
In my most recent posts, I am writing about faith and it’s importance in leading a balanced life. You might enjoy reading them! Talk to God and then listen
Thanks for sharing!
Bernice
I love this post! I have much of what you describe with the Quakers (unprogrammed). Their emphasis on silent worship, simplicity, integrity, social justice and earth stewardship really speak to me, especially as I continue embracing the minimalist lifestyle.
Love Love Love this post. I feel like simplicity has deepened my relationship with God too!
This post couldn’t have come at a better time for me. I have realized how lacking the spiritual side of my life has been all my life (my family was marginally religious when I was growing up) and I have felt like I have no where to start in finding God. I wouldn’t say I’m a Christian but I wouldn’t say identify with any other religion. either. I have found that starting to embrace minimalism has brought this need further to the surface and I do agree that there is a connection between simplifying life and moving closer to God. I look forward to reading your new blog about finding God.
Courtney, thank you for writing this post. As I look to grow my relationship with God, it is always encouraging to hear how others are doing the same. Especially when they risk their blog’s reputation on it. That is just too awesome.
Best of luck finding a bible based church. Might I suggested the EFCA (http://www.efca.org)? Of the 3 EFCA churches I have been to, I’ve found that the service is not about rituals, but instead, about digging into the word of God. Every sermon gets right into the Word, no time for games. Minimalism at its finest.
Hi Courtney,
I love it, this blog is what i needed today. I found God some 34 years ago but with life’s twists and turns over the last year or so its been tough to know He is still there. Life has left me broken but i know His Son Jesus the Christ will hold the pieces together until they can be fixed. It doesnt matter what name we call Him when we pray, He will always answer. The buddhist teach that all life is contained in a lotus flower and God created all life, so you dont have to look far to see His works. Today i saw a railbow but there was no raindrops and i knew God’s promise that He will always be with me is sure. This life’s journey is our own but we have the power to help others along their way, if we so chose. Several times over the last 34 years i have taught adult sunday school classes but each time i read the scriptures i find something new. This year i am not the teacher but i am the student and already i have learnt that Joseph’s father was called Jacob (matt 1:16), and that Jesus had brothers and sisters (Matt 13:55-56). If you want to find God ask him and if you want to know him read about him. I wish you well on your journey.
May I simply say, “Amen to that!”
Courtney –
I think that more and more there are people who will put the two together that getting your life in order also will bring you closer to God, that is, if you are a religious person.
I think it has a lot to do with being at peace with your life, lifestyle, home, relationships, etc. When there is chaos, one of the first things we forget is our relationship with God. Unfortunately, I know this from experience.
I am a big believer, I even have the Christian fish tattoo’d on my arm. I was born, baptized, raised, and even married in the Catholic church. I even spent the better part of my high school years with a non-denominational Christian church, where at that time, I have never felt closer to God.
But for me, my life has changed. I got a divorce from the girl I married in the church, and I really began to come to grips with my relationship with God. Like you said, I do not have to go to church to be close to God, I have had many God moments.
I have since remarried, not in the church, and both my wife and I now hold a very strong religious belief, however, neither of us attend church.
I think that is what i took most from your post, that going to church does not always equate to a good relationship with God, rather, a strong belief system is more important, and you can have a relationship with God, even without attending a church.
Thank you for your post, I love the diversity yet consistency in the topics you post about.
I love that we are all seekers. I have been doing naturalist studies recently and trying to connect them with my Catholic religion is sometimes a stretch. I hate the idea that one person, the minister can so influence the tone of a congregation but it is very true. What makes religion work for me is my connection to the people, the body of Christ. I live in a small town and it is way larger than just my congregation. We care for each other and pray with each other and seek together and that is the part that works for me. My best place to pray is still by myself and in nature. It’s nice to come together but people and nature feed me in different ways.
I’ve been subscribing to your blog since almost your first post, and I’ve really enjoyed reading your articles. Although I find it difficult to minimize my own life simply because my husband is an inveterate hoarder, I have found your posts calming and a peaceful influence.
However, I’m afraid I now have to cancel my subcription because of your latest post on religion. I am an atheist, and though I could tolerate your earlier posts that hinted at a religious influence, I’m afraid I can no longer take seriously a blog that appears to be based on superstitious Iron Age beliefs.
Wishing you the very best for the future.
Feel badly for you that you cannot enjoy the great information contained on this blog. Obviously you have not learned the delicate life balance of “Take what’s good and leave that with which you cannot agree behind.”
“I can no longer take seriously a blog that appears to be based on superstitious Iron Age beliefs”
It’s one thing to say you don’t believe what someone else does but to insult them for simply believing in a higher power – that’s low.
Maybe it’s time to frequent the blogs of some Jihadist Muslims of fundamentalist Christians – like you, Wendy, they also have no tolerance for people who hold differing world views than their own. Tolerance and respect: find some.
The world is a better place through the efforts of people like Courtney sharing wisdom and encouragement with others. Why be so brittle about what she believes spiritually? She’s not trying to impose it on anyone else.
It happens that I don’t share her religious worldview, but she has been so respectful in discussing it, I can’t imagine any legitimate reason to take offense. Instead, why not gently share your own perspective? For my part, I’ll gently pose a question to believers: If we are deeply honest and deeply perceptive about ourselves and human nature, overall, might we not be humble on what we claim to know about a possible God and His possible will? A gentle and comprehensive book from the perspective of “reverent agnosticism” is “The Sage and the Seekers” by Michael Posner.
But Courtney’s writings on minimalism are so helpful that whatever one thinks of her personal and gently-stated beliefs on God, there is so much to be gained by reading her blog. I, for one non-religious person, am grateful to her.
I too, am an atheist, and a minimalist.
I feel sorry for people like Wendy. First, she hints that she will “cancel her subscription.” A subscription is something you sign up for, something you pay for. This is a blog. It’s free to read (currently, I assume) , and so by her letting you know she’s going to “cancel her subscription” is only some bitterness.
It’s so easy, as an atheist, to dislike religion in all forms. What’s not easy is to separate it from the messenger. It’s so easy to blame the person for the overall religion’s beliefs, but that can be done to us atheists too.
Ultimately, it comes down to individual action and individual desire and individual morality. Even the most fervent christian I knew growing up hit his wife and children, and that’s something counter to Jesus’ teachings. Christianity has a name for this, it’s called “Sin.” Non-christianity has a name for it, too, and in my case, I consider that “imperfection” or “working point” or “something to be fixed” or “learning experience” , etc.
I get no implication that this blog is based on “Iron Age Superstitions” and find that entire line to be completely demeaning in nature.
In short, Wendy, what your comment has said is a lot more about you than it does about this blog. I’d heavily suggest rethinking your position, and weighing the information you receive here on this blog scientifically and rationally, and using that which works for you.
Instead, of course, of what seems to be your alternative methodology, of just tossing everything that hints at having religion around it out the window. How many things that you use every day were made by religious people? Ahhh, that would be TRUE minimalism.
Courtney
What’s lovely about this post is that you have faith in your voice. Can’t buy that kind of courage. Your voice, be it in prayer, meditation or on the page will only get stronger. It’s a beautiful and encouraging thing.
Great post, I love discovering that some of the bloggers I follow turn out to be Christians. The whole reason I started simplifying my life was to make more room for God, but ironically the more room you make the more stuff seems to creep in and fill that empty space. It’s a constant journey but I’m loving every minute.
It is refreshing to hear everyone talking about
a closer relationship with God.
Everyone seems to be saying, it is ok not to attend
Church. I disagree.
While Church does have things that all of us take issue
with, it is still God’s will that the body assemble together.
I don’t make every service. I am not proud of that fact.
The Pastor has a job, that is to feed the saints. We will not
be spiritually strong without attending service.
God designed the Church for a reason. It isn’t that
we can’t grow, and learn on our own. However, Church is the place where
God meets with his body. The Church needs everyone there. People
come in that are sick, lost, and hurting. That is the work of the
Church, to reach out to those in need. Also, to be a part of a group
effort to do good in your community. If you are a believer, you are
to strive to be like Christ. Christ would be at Church. He would be
there to love, and reach out to the hurting. We are now responsible.
Your brothers, and sisters in Christ need you there for strength too.
Again, I need to do a better job myself.
If you believe the Bible is the Word of God, then you must know we
will be held accountable for what it has to say. We can’t simply pick
and choose the scriptures we like. It is all Truth.
Christ died that we might live. We in turn die, that He may live in us.
This is a daily process, this dying to self. So, it isn’t a matter of
what we want. It is a matter of what Christ wants. His will, becomes
our will. It is His will that we serve one another in love. We can’t do
that staying home.
I must respectfully disagree with Betty’s comment about not being spiritually strong if we do not attend an organised church service. I believe there is more than one prescribed way of following the Spirit, and God is more than able to communicate with us without a pastor/intermediary to speak through – he dwells within us. I think Christ is able to build *his* church through our interactions with the people we encounter in our everyday lives. Not attending an organised church service does not necessarily mean staying at home or being disconnected from your community. We can indeed serve each other at home (e.g. our families, friends, neighbours, colleagues etc). Also, we can gather and connect with and love other human beings (regardless of beliefs) in other ways than in a set place at a set time. I agree, sick, lost and hurting people do venture into church buildings to find help, but there are also plenty of people with those same needs whose paths cross ours in everyday life. That’s what I interpret as church. My personal experience is that attending regular church services interferes in my relationship with God and the freedom that he has given. I am freer and more inclined to listen and hear what he is saying to me personally when I do not have the add-ons and input from a church organisation. I am spiritually stronger when I am looking directly to God, not via the sermon the pastor has prepared. I find more fellowship in connecting with a small group of actual friends than a larger group of people I mostly do not know. This is just *my* experience; I have no problem with others attending organised church and would not try to influence anybody else that the way I relate to God is the only way – whatever works for each person in genuinely bringing them closer to God is what is right for them.
Sorry for such a long comment; all that to say I have no problem whatsoever with attending organised church, but it is not the only way to *be* the church.
But we do, every day, see Christians picking and choosing scripture they like.
We see christians eating shell fish. We see christians not selling their kids into slavery. We see christians wearing polyblend clothing. We see christians not marrying their brother’s wives after their brother’s die. We see christians mixing cheese and meat. We see christians not raping the women and killing all the men of villages we invade in Iraq and Afghanistan, which is the God-ordained methodology for handling those of different religions throughout the early scripture. Women in their “time of the month” do not get separate bedding from the man. All natures of purity laws are no longer followed, yet were once.
We see numerous things in the bible which we HAVE chosen to ignore, chosen to pick apart, chosen to cast aside as “antiquated” or rationalize as having “a metaphorical meaning versus a literal one.”
Yet, from those very same chapters, books, and verses we do follow things.
So I don’t believe that the argument that it’s “ALL truth” and that we can’t “simply pick and choose scriptures we like.”
Yes, we can. We already DO. We already HAVE.
I would have to say that in moments of quiet, stillness and reflection, we feel drawn to something or someone much greater and significant than ourselves. We feel that there is much more to life than our busy little lives. We instinctively feel the awesomeness of the world in which we live. We feel a sense of peace that we were meant to have in our daily lives.
It is good that you have been able to simplify your life to see through the busy-ness and the constant clutter, to see what matters most.
Hi Courtney!
I’ve been following you blog for a little while now and have really appreciated your perspective. Thank you for being transparent in this post. It is only natural that minimalism eventually leads us deeper questions. Keep up the search and thanks for writing!
Wonderful post, I can identify with that. Really enjoy your email updates! Thanks for adding value to my life 🙂
http://migrembe.wordpress.com/2011/01/15/faith-in-jesus-christ/
I believe in Jesus Christ and i’m not ashamed to say so. I believe in God the Father even if at times when i have prayed recently i have got mad with Him and shouted at him. But has a friend said to me – at least you are still praying – which is true.
Courtney,
I’ve recently begun following your blog, and I think this was an insightful and terrific post.
I’m a pastor of a mainline church and I have long thought that underneath the search for simplicity, the efforts toward minimalism, there is a spiritual hunger. As is obvious from the preceding posts, this hunger takes many forms. It can be in church or outside of church. Personally, I think both are necessary. The sanctuary and the coffee shop are both important.
I see the hunger in the faces of the folks in my congregation: the thing that is dis-connecting them is complexity, stuff, overcommitment. In short, a lack of simplicity.
Christianity comes with a lot of baggage, to be sure, but that baggage does not have a Jesus logo on it. Quite the opposite — his life was simple and sparse. As was his message. (But this is neither the time not the forum for a long discussion of both the wonderful and not-so-wonderful history of Christianity.)
You have made a wonderful intuitive leap. Keep exploring!
I hope most everyone that commented is subscribed to this comment thread. I have read each comment, and will be re-reading them and reaching out to some of you via email who have offered additional resources.
Talking about what we believe or don’t believe has always been a little taboo, which seems a little silly, because that is typically the core of who you are.
People are uncomfortable when their belief system is challenged. Clearly, no one has to literally challenge us, but just by stating their belief, we feel a little threatened if it’s not the way we see the world. It’s a natural reaction, but stay in that place for a little while and you might discover something. I’m not suggesting that you will change the way you think, but there may be something in that place of being uncomfortable that adds value to your life. I have spent lots of time in that chair and it helps me to grow. (not just talking about religion here, it could be anything).
I will take you seriously, appreciate what you have to say, and probably love spending time with you regardless of your religious beliefs. That has never been a determining factor in how I chose my friends. If you are kind, compassionate, funny and a good person…I want to know you. I want you in my life and I want to learn from you.
Now, if you are kind of a jerk, even if we have the exact same core beliefs, we probably won’t spend much time together.
What I love about this Be More with Less community and especially the conversation on this post, is that everyone contributed with their heart. Each of you had something important and very meaningful to say and you said it with grace. This is the kind of dialog that could have gone the other way, but you are each so kind, thoughtful and clearly brilliant, that your words will now impact someone else in a really profound me.
You continue to change me and inspire me to inspire you.
My sincere thanks,
Courtney
Courtney,
For me, it was faith that inspired my desire to live more simply. I’m a Quaker, and voluntary simplicity is a big part of the Quaker tradition. Simplicity has shaped our worship service: we don’t have church bands, or AV equipment, or pastors or sermons…we meet in silence for an hour each week, and anyone who feels led to speak during that hour does so. I often find those messages very moving, but I also get a lot out of reverent silence. What Quaker offers me is a community of shared faith which also shares my values of sustainability, simplicity, compassion and social justice. I’m glad you started this conversation about simplicity and faith, because I find the two to be so inextricably linked.
Caroline
What a sweet post. I think the closer to a true relationship with God we have the more we SHOULD realize less need for stuff. It’s not about religion, denominations or doing “Christian things”. Its about your heart, the Bible and your relationship with God. Period. Bless you for following your heart to make this post. I just found your blog and am enjoying it very much.
Courtney, a brave and authentic post that brings us, your readers, closer to you, the real you, all of you.
You continue to lead by example, and regardless of anyone’s spiritual or religious beliefs, for that alone you’re a great inspiration.
Thank you.
Wonderful post! Reducing the clutter in your day to day life can bring more room for clarity in all areas of your life. I’m still in de-clutter mode, but already things have changed for the better in my personal life. Thank you for such an open, honest portrayal of your spiritual life.
I became Catholic as an adult. I loved it, when sitting in the RCIA class, the teacher said “you all may not decide to stay and become Catholic…religion serves one purpose…to help you have a better relationship with God. It is your job to find the one taht does that for you. It may be this one; it may be another one. I just want all of you to find a way to be close to God”. Religion’s function is to help us be close to God. So whatever helps someone achieve that is great for as they say, the Lord works in mysterious ways and uses what he can to get our attention. Minimalism is a wonderful step in growign closer to God as it decreases so many of our distractions. The further I go in my own minimalism journey, the easier it is to find God…in my house, in my heart, in my mind. Great post.
Did you peak outside the Matrix?
“While I have had many God moments, most of them did not happen in church.”
That’s an important statement to keep in mind. Church has, for a lot of people, become a surrogate to a real relationship with God (and each other). Too often it’s like fast-food for the soul. Instead of sitting on a beach, or on a crowded train, or in a malaria netted tent in a third world country, we drive on up to GodBurger, and place our order, sit down and ingest something that seems to be ok for us without really worry about whether it is or not.
I’d rather have some quality, organic time alone with God, or some time serving His people, or singing a worship song with my kids –outside the walls of the church– than to say I went and checked it off my weekly religious to-do list. That’s not to say church is bad in and of itself. We’ve got to be careful not to “throw the baby out with the bath water.” Church can still be a good place to relate to God and others, but when it becomes self-perpetuating, telling us that we need church to maintain our relationship with God, then we need to remember that we don’t need church as much as church needs us.
It’s important to remember that we can be more with less in all areas of our lives…
This is good stuff, Courtney. I’m with you. Unfortunately, sometimes church gets in the way of knowing God. I don’t want church politics either. Nor do I want a lot of unnecessary programs. I want to get closer to God, get to know the Bible better, experience true worship, and serve the world. And I want my friends and family to do the same. It’s not easy. I know. I’ve been a pastor for 24 years!
For me, the simple life gives me more time to develop and display my faith.
Courtney, it looks like you’ve hit on something here that resonates with many. It certainly does with me. I’ve been a Christian for 32 years now, and I’ve struggled often with what seems a disconnect between church culture and true connection with God. I didn’t begin to get it until I left a church I had attended for 25 years. Suddenly, the table was wiped clean–instant simplicity. It really was just me and God. I began again with a new, more vibrant, church and came to see it through a different lens. Before, I felt that on Sunday, it was like recharging a battery than gradually ran down throughout the week; now it seemed that church services and what I did during the week fed each other. I saw that Bible study and prayer throughout the week, as well as interactions with people, was what enabled me to bring an attitude of worship with me on Sunday. And the service would encourage me and prepare me for the week to come. I think God works through both of those.
I commend you for putting your faith out there so boldly and for connecting your minimalism to it.
Hi Courtney, I have been following you just recently. Beautiful blog.
Thank you for this post. You have obviously touched our core value. I am a 42 year old catholic nun who is drawn to simplifying my life some more. This sounds strange from someone who lives in a monastery, right? …from someone who is supposed to have vowed SIMPLICITY (poverty)…
I am inspired by your posts. I admire your courage to speak about your journey of faith.
It is beautiful how your followers are candidly sharing about their own paths too. God is so vast, so beyond our grasp, that there’s really no one way to relate him. There is NO ONE path…As a cloistered nun who go through my own nitty gritty details of authentically experiencing what it means to know, live and love God and my co-sisters in ways that TRULY MAKES SENSE TO ME it refreshing to read other’s personal experience of growth in spirituality.
“There is nothing that you can do for GOD to love you MORE.
There is nothing that you can do for GOD to love you LESS.” – Philip Yancey, a baptist author.
Thank you for posting this! I currently find myself in the same dilemma. It’s nice to know that I’m not alone and nice to hear from someone who isn’t just giving up!
I keep reading all the comments with interest whether for or against religion or God. I am a latter-day saint or a mormon but simplicity didnt come through where i go to church or even being a christian it actually comes through buddhism. Part of their practice is to do one thing at a time. Even though i didnt take on all of their teachings this one thing stuck with me. Being mindful of everything i do or dont do and how that effects myself and others.
I wish everyone well whichever direction they decide to go in.
Bev – I think Buddhism has many great principles. Good point!
Courtney!!
Were we separated at birth and no one told me? I had the exact same experience in my journey to get closer to God. As I have posted on my own website, here’s my story:
The Catholic Zen is about one woman’s spiritual journey from a message of hate taught in the 50’s by the Roman Catholic Church to an impressionable, sensitive little girl growing up in an abusive home. This tragic beginning has, however, led to my positive and loving experience of God today. The journey has been one of pain, self doubt, self loathing and despair, followed by God’s Grace and Mercy, guiding me back to Him through life changing experiences. The deepest, most meaningful experiences have been divorce after 24 years, job loss after 21 years, and the ensuing associated losses of house, material possessions, dignity and finally the will to go on.
There is a true spirituality in having nothing. Through this experience, I was forced to learn to ask for help, to go without, and most importantly, to be grateful for what I do have, and to never again take anything for granted. This is, of course, still a work in progress. I hope and pray, through this website and blog, to not only help others who are struggling with loss, but to remain ever mindful of where I came from and how I got to be the strong, positive spritual woman I am today. I encourage anyone who is lost, suffering from loss, searching for God and/or suffering from the disease of “more, more, more” which is encouraged and perpetuated by our society, to read my blog and share your experience, pain and hope with the rest of us who need to know that we are not alone.
Peace be with you!
Courtney…I saw your tweet about a piece on The Unblogger. I commented there, and then came back here. Let me say, as an atheist, that I have absolutely no issues with your post. The idea of taking your blog off my minimalist reading list or unfollowing on Twitter never crossed my mind. I wrote a piece a while back, after doing a lot of reflection, about realizing that I am an atheist. While I was concerned that I might lose some friends or social media followers over the piece, it didn’t happen. Well, a few people dropped off, but I was perfectly at peace with that.
So–channeling the 70s–I say “Keep on, keeping on!” A lot of us appreciate you for being open, honest and simply put…you. Do you. Water always finds its own level.
Too many people have died because humanity didn’t accept differing opinions. And good for you for blogging your views despite your concerns! Some people aren’t that brave.
Refreshing! Thank you for speaking your heart here. I am desperately trying to minimalize and go back to more of a simple and orderly life so I can concentrate on what is truly important; the Lord and time with my family. Most minimalist blogs are very new to me and I was starting to become leary because many times it seems faith in the Lord seems to be the unspeakable. Bless you!
I don’t know how I missed reading this. It’s awesome to know that I’ve been reading a like minded blogger thought. Especially with all the crud that’s out there online these days. Thank you for your love of the Lord and I will pray right now that God moves you in the direction of His Will for your life. Good luck finding the right “place to worship”. We’ve been looking since we got married and although we have found a great church home we still sometimes get sick of the politics. It’s not simple by any stretch of imagination. But, in order to worship our God with people that want to worship like us we have to bite our tongues, lift our voices, close our eyes and look for God. We usually find him when we get lost right where we’re standing.
Great post. Keep em coming!
-Kevin
This is exactly how I feel. Church made it hard for me to see God actually. I mistook the people there for Him—if they did these things than I should also in order to be close to Him. But it never felt right.
Eventually He guided me out of that way of thinking. He showed me that he created me different, He created everyone different and the best thing to do is embrace it, just as He embraces me.
I took a summer break from church, mostly because I was going through a rough time and seeing the people there and answering the questions they would ask me just wasn’t something I wanted to deal with, and I gained so much more about God. I read the Bible more, prayed more, saw Him more. Now I’m going to church again and I know that the things He’s taught me He’s going to show other people through me.
A church is a building, an edifice
The people are just people
But Jesus Christ is the reason
When we come to know Christ we truely repent and not only change our actions but also our thoughts. So the thought that caused us to sin is not only forgotton but its as if it never existed. If our beliefs dont cause us to change and live our lives better, then there is no point.
I am glad I found your blog. I am an aspiring minimalist for the sole purpose to follow Jesus. He is the way.
Keep seeking Truth dear one.
The red letters will help you.
@Mrs. D – I love your comment “The red letters will help you.” This is so true as we face the trials of this day. There is truth in the red letters, and applied to our lives today we can find refuge, love, and strength.
-Kevin
I can identify with you. I came home from church building (actually taught my kids to call it “church building” since church refers to people) one day and had the distinct thought, “why do I do that when so much of the time I find it meaningless?”
So I googgled “don’t want to go to church” and ran across a great book and spent the entire Sunday afternoon reading it. Helped me understand many reasons I don’t like the traditional church experience.
There’s a free version at http://www.jakecolsen.com/. I am guessing you will find it refreshing.
Wonderful post and it resonates with me. Thank you!
I love Jesus with my entire being. We are told to do some things in the Bible…like pray, for instance…which are hard to understand. Meeting together and fellowshipping with other believers are essential. I have discovered that learning to love fellow church folks has made me more Christlike and I think that is the reason we are told to gather. Local churches cannot survive without folks to work together to draw in the unsaved. And that is our life’s purpose…
Hi–I just read this today reposted on Facebook; very nice take on religion. I personally don’t follow any organized faith, but I have read widely from many different religions. Most of them have the same commonalities–love of god and one another, simplicity, honesty, patience, faith. Keeping it simple seems to help with all of the others, whether a person is Christian or athiest, or any or no other religion. Keep up the good work. It’s all very helpful and inspiring.
Wow, this was so encouraging, 100% of what you have said is the same way I feel; especially,when you made the following statements:
“I don’t have to be anywhere special to thank God.
“God loves me and hears my prayers. Why I don’t want to go to church.”
“I search out the simple and am not finding it in church politics.”
“Standing, kneeling and sitting over and over again is distracting me.”