You will always see Apple coming out with the newest, latest phone. When you see this, are you always wanting to get it?
Randy Keeler standing in front of the Bluffton University crest in Centennial Hall after his presentation. Photo by Courtney Weekley.
Associate Dean of Academic Affairs Randy Keeler encouraged his Civic Engagement Day audience to live simply through Christ in modern culture rather than giving in to the latest sensations and getting the newest items available.
“Sometimes we don’t know these things get in the way,” said Keeler. “We need to focus more on Christ and our relationship with Him.”
Keeler used the example of St. Francis of Assisi and how he embodied the luxury of living life in simplicity. When Assisi heard the voice of God, he knew he was commanded to rebuild the Christian church and live with nothing.
Ella Wiley, a junior and Delight leader, attended Keeler’s presentation.
“Everything he said I agreed with, but it’s hard to simplify in our generation,” said Wiley. “I feel God has been really telling me to simplify my life.”
Keeler suggested that simplifying one’s life as a Christian starts with knowing how much is enough. To recognize this, Christians have to know where their identity is in the things they own, he said.
“Finding your identity in Christ rather than things of this world can be a great start to simplifying my life,” said Wiley. “Obsessing over things in the world won’t mean a thing when I inherent the Kingdom of God.”
Worrying about stuff like cars, houses, food and money can create idolatry, to what you find your identity in, Keeler said. These things can keep Christians from God where the material items become a bigger value than Him.
“If Christians find their identity in stuff then, they are willing to pay whatever it may take,” Keeler said. “It can complicate life. Simplicity cultivates letting go of stuff to bring more freedom and generosity.”
Keeler gave his suggestions on inner attitudes to simplify a Christians life: receive what you have as a gift from God, know that it is God’s business and not ours to care for what we have and have our goods available to others.
To start a Christian simplifying journey, Keeler said to be content with what you already have rather than focusing on wanting more. Spending more time in solitude, left with nothing but your thoughts will help along the journey, Keeler said.
Keeler ended the session with simple ways to develop outward expressions of simplicity: buy things for their usefulness rather than their status, reject anything that is producing an addiction, develop a habit of giving things away, refuse to be propagandized by the custodians of modern gadgetry, learn to enjoy things without owning them and develop a deeper appreciation for creation.
“It’s about contentment, we need to remember we are already content in life,” said Keeler. “It’s always in those moments where we can reflect and meditate on what we should be doing in the world.”
