If you decide to aggressively pursue simple living, it will take you down unfamiliar and uncertain paths. You will feel weird, and you will look weird to friends. Many people will be put off by your efforts, and some will be downright hostile because they will take your efforts to throw off the shackles of modern living as an implicit criticism of how comfortable they’ve become in their slavery. For the sake of both peace of mind and peace among the brethren, I’d exhort anyone going down this path to keep three things in mind.
First, don’t fail to tend your garden, because you are responsible for its fruits. Once you become persuaded that, despite what everyone else is doing, the road less traveled is more appropriate for your family, then that’s the road you have to travel. Persuading your friends to your point of view or going in search of new friends who are like-minded may ease the burden of walking that road, but lack of support from the outside is no excuse for not pursuing simplicity.
Second, remember that your responsibility—and authority—extends only to the boundaries of your garden. You are not responsible for how your brother tends his own garden, and, short of a circumstance where elders must be made aware of flagrant sin, you have no authority over how he tends his own garden. Always be ready to give an answer for why you think the simple life is good to pursue, but otherwise beware of zealousness that might lead you to stick your nose into a brother’s business, no matter how much he might benefit from your wisdom.
Third, expect the same freedom to tend your own garden that you are giving to others; in fact, insist on it. As long as your conscience guides you to certain practices and they aren’t grounds for being brought up before the session, then expect to be allowed to do things as you see fit. Don’t flaunt your freedom unnecessarily. Ignore all but impossibly rude comments and suggestions. Be gracious when a brother oversteps his bounds, reminding him as gently as possible that it is none of his business. Remind yourself that the approval of men can be helpful but is not required.
How easy it is to get excited about ideas that are new and bring so much freedom to my own family, that I want everyone else to experience the good life too. I am reminded of a comment that I heard to the effect that “no man crawls out from under a pile of criticism to be a better man.” God has been so gracious to me in allowing me to understand how to better serve Him by pursuing simplicity, thanks for the reminder to extend that grace to others. I find it difficult sometimes to find a good balance in pointing out foolish idealogy that is presented to my children, in order for them to recognize it for what it is, and not being critical of those from whom it comes. Any suggestions?
I find it difficult sometimes to find a good balance in pointing out foolish idealogy that is presented to my children, in order for them to recognize it for what it is, and not being critical of those from whom it comes. Any suggestions?
Angela,
We struggle with that as well, trying not to shy away from criticizing bad behavior while still being kind and loving towards those exhibiting it. I’m not confident we handle it well enough to be offering suggestions to others.
This is such a great example of why I continue to come here to glean from the wisdom that I see. Thanks for not being an authority on everything, whether you are qualified or not, as so often is the case.