The Power of Simplifying Life
What would your schedule look like if God were in charge?
That is a powerful question and one we recently came across in our friend Bill Hybels' book, Simplify. We just started reading it, but one idea immediately jumped off the page and challenged us.
Whenever we talk with men in our Seven24 community, one theme comes up over and over again: we are busy.
Really busy.
We hear things like:
"I'm exhausted."
"I don't have enough time."
"My calendar is packed."
"I can't seem to get my head above water."
Sound familiar?
Life today moves at a relentless pace. Technology keeps us connected 24/7. Work demands seem endless. Family responsibilities grow. Kids have activities, sports, practices, and events. Then there are social commitments, travel, volunteer opportunities, and countless distractions competing for our attention.
Before we know it, our schedules are full, and our souls are empty.
Recently, we've been taking a hard look at our own calendars and asking a difficult question:
What should we start saying no to?
Trust us, we're not writing this from a mountaintop of perfection. We struggle with overscheduling just like many of you. In fact, we may be some of the worst offenders.
Bill Hybels makes an interesting observation in Simplify. He suggests that saying yes to the wrong things can actually prevent God from using us for the purpose He created us for.
That hit us.
How often do we fill every available space on our calendars without stopping to ask if those commitments align with God's priorities for our lives?
Chasing More
As men, we are often wired to do more, accomplish more, and achieve more.
We convince ourselves that if we can just squeeze a little more into our day, life will finally feel complete. We try to cram ten pounds into a five-pound bag.
The result?
Stress.
Fatigue.
Frustration.
And often a lack of peace.
Scripture reminds us:
"Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind."Ecclesiastes 4:6
What a picture. Many of us are chasing after the wind, running harder and harder, only to discover we're getting nowhere.
Simplifying Isn't About Doing Nothing
Now, let's be clear.
Simplifying life does not mean becoming lazy or unproductive.
It means becoming intentional.
It means focusing our time, energy, and attention on what matters most and letting go of what doesn't.
It means creating space for the relationships, priorities, and calling God has placed in our lives.
As Bill points out, simplified living is about more than doing less. It is about becoming the men God designed us to be.
Imagine ending each day with gratitude because you spent your time on things that truly mattered.
Imagine going to bed with peace instead of replaying an overwhelming list of obligations you never wanted in the first place.
Sounds pretty good, doesn't it?
So How Do We Do It?
If you've read this far, you might be thinking: "Jeremy and Bill, that sounds great, but how do we actually pull it off?" Honestly, we're still figuring that out ourselves.
This isn't a lesson we've mastered. It's something we're actively working through right now.
Some commitments are unavoidable.
Others are optional.
The difference is often found in the choices we make every day.
When we look at our schedules, what can we remove so we can focus more on who God has called us to be and what He has called us to do?
What are the real priorities in our lives?
Creating Room for What Matters Most
We do know this:
A simpler life creates room for deeper relationships.
A simpler life creates room for a stronger faith.
A simpler life creates room for listening to God.
A simpler life creates room for peace.
And we don't know about you, but that sounds like something worth pursuing.
So this week, we're committing to simplifying. Not perfectly. Not overnight. But intentionally.
We're going to listen more closely to God as we evaluate our calendars, commitments, and priorities.
Will it be easy? Probably not.
Will it be worth it? We believe so.
As you head into this week, keep these verses close:
"Be still, and know that I am God."Psalm 46:10
"Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."Mark 6:31
Maybe God isn't asking us to do more.
Maybe He's inviting us to make room for what matters most.
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