” ‘Tis a gift to be simple, ’tis a gift to be free.”
That’s a line from an old Shaker hymn known as “Simple Gifts.”
One spiritual practice that doesn’t always land on the charts up there with prayer and study is the practice of simplicity.
Clutter in your environment is a distraction. It impedes or prevents focus on what’s important. It is good in the beginning of a new year to take the time to clear out the accumulated clutter of the past year.
Some of that clutter may be physical. You may have too much stuff. We tend to buy things and add them to a room. It becomes like the metaphor of boiling a frog–if the water temperature is raised a little at a time the frog won’t notice when danger is upon it. Just so, a little at a time we add clutter until our living space is no longer simple and pure.
We can also clutter our minds and souls with clutter. Memories that need to be released. Poisonous relationships that need to be purged. Too much thinking, not enough doing. Focus and clarity must be our guides.
Matthew reports that Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Pure means not mixed. Not an alloy. Nothing added. This can be related to simplicity. Unadorned. Uncluttered. Focused.
Jesus was most concerned about the state of our hearts. Keep it simple and pure. You shall see God. Maintaining simplicity as a practice helps us on our way to God.
Faith Venture 
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