Freedom of Simplicity

Lately I've had this nagging sense that my life is too complex and too busy. I've also been feeling like I have too much stuff. Stuff that I don't ever use, but I'm afraid to get rid of it. I used to save everything. I mean I had reciepts from the grocery store from 1996. Laura has since cured me of that little problem but I find that I remain attached to "stuff" and it bugs me. So I picked up Freedom of Simplicity by Richard Foster. I bought it mostly for the title and also because I have liked everything else that I've read from Foster. I was a bit dissapointed when he immediately started talking about money. I was thinking, "I want freedom from stuff not from money". Then it hit me, they are cousins.

"The light of the body is the eye: if therfore thine eye be single, thy whold body shall be full of light" (Matt. 6:22, kjv)

Foster noted that the ancient term "single eye" has a connotation that our english translation has difficulty capturing. He says, "It refers both to a single aim in life and to a generous, unselfish spirit. The two ideas have such a close connection in the Hebrew mind that they can be expressed in a singl phrase." (p.42) And, "If all within us is honed down to the single treasure of Christ and his kingdom, then we are living in the light of simplicity." (p.41) This concept of a single eye centered on Christ was the most powerful message for me. Later Foster noted that the desire to get out of the rat race cannot be central and the desire for simplicity itself cannont be central. The moment any of thes becomes the focus of our concern, it has become idolitry. (p.124)

The Desert Fathers renounced things in order to know what it meant to have the single eye of simplicity toward God.
Detachment frees us from the control of others.
They renounced speech to learn compassion.
Silence frees us from the need to control others.
They renounced activity in order to learn prayer.
Prayer frees us to be controlled by God.

Meister Eckhart wrote, "There are plenty to follow our Lord half-way, but not the other half. They will give up possessions, friends, and honors, but it touches them too closely to disown themselves."

I pray that I may follow my Lord completely and with a single eye.