Simplify Your Spiritual Life by Donald Whitney- I think I would say this has been my top favorite read for the year 2007, for it contains such valuable encouragement and advice on simplifying your spiritual life, of strengthening your walk with the Lord through simple and practical ways. He does not mean simplify in the sense of “doing less” as most people would take it. It is not as much about doing fewer things as it is about doing the right things. The theme verse is encouraging his readers to return to the “simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ” (2 Cor. 11:3).
Each chapter is roughly two pages in length and is the perfect amount for anyone, no matter your time limitations. It is a quick and refreshing read when you catch a moment between responsibilities. It covers all different topics of spiritual disciples including: devotions, prayer, journaling, Sabbath rests, simplifying your heart, mind and time, etc. How can we incorporate time to do the right things and dwell in the simplicity of devotion to Christ? This book answers that question.
One encouraging point from the chapter titled, “Do What You Can”, he tells the story of a woman named Jean Fleming. She was a dedicated servant of the Lord throughout her single years in missions, etc, devoted in seeking the Lord, and growing in the disciplines. Then she was married and had three children in diapers.
He tells the story:
“Caring for their most basic needs eliminated almost every moment of the time she used to devote to caring for her soul. Her longings for the things of God reached as high as ever, but her time and energy had new and severe limits. On at least three occasions I’ve eavesdropped as Jean addressed young moms in similar situation. In effect, she’s told them, ‘At this time in your life, you can’t do what you’re used to doing. You don’t have time for all your heart desires to experience in your spiritual life. Nevertheless, do what you can do, even though it’s precious little. Just don’t deceive yourself by thinking that you can put off a devotional life until you have more time. Because when the years roll around and you finally do have more time, your spiritual habits will be so ingrained that you won’t give more attention to your devotional life at all.”
Jean kept Bibles open in several rooms –in the kitchen, nursery, bathroom –and look at them when she could. She may have only read one verse, but the discipline kept the Word in her heart and the presence of God in her awareness.
“Like Jean with three in diapers, you may be in a situation that curtails many of your spiritual activities. You may be looking at months or years of limitations. Do what you can. God does not love us more when we do more, or less when we do less. He accepts us, not because of what we do for Him, but because of what He’s done for us in Christ…Love God, and within the limitations He has sovereignly placed in your life at this time, do what you can.”
Visit Donald Whitney’s site to read free sample chapters from this book.
More quotes and encouragement from this book to come…
Thanks for the encouragement Steph and for stopping by and reading my musings. I appreciate it and am having a blast blogging thus far. Press on sister!
Lindsay, I am SO happy you are blogging. I enjoy reading here very much!