We live in a world that constantly tells us that more is better. More options, more stuff, more activities—if we just have more, then we’ll be happier, more fulfilled, and more successful. But what if I told you that sometimes the key to a fuller, more abundant life is actually found in less?
I recently had an experience that reminded me of this truth in a powerful way. I found myself in a grocery store aisle, staring at dozens of different peanut butter options. I’m talking creamy, chunky, no sugar added, with honey, organic, natural—the list goes on. I was completely overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices. Has that ever happened to you?
It hit me right there, standing in the peanut butter aisle, that more choices didn’t make my life easier or better. In fact, it made something as simple as buying peanut butter stressful and confusing. The same thing happens in our spiritual lives. We get caught up in the idea that we need to do more, be more, have more, when what we really need is to simplify and focus on what truly matters.
In Acts 27, we see the Apostle Paul caught in a literal storm, with the ship he’s on being tossed around by the waves. At one point, the crew realizes that if they don’t lighten the load, the ship is going to sink. So they start throwing things overboard—things that once seemed important but now were a threat to their survival.
This passage speaks to us today. There are things we carry around—possessions, habits, commitments—that weigh us down and keep us from experiencing the fullness of life that God intends for us. We might think these things are necessary, but in reality, they’re distractions, preventing us from hearing God’s voice and following His will.
I believe that simplifying our lives is not just a practical step but a spiritual discipline. It’s about creating space for God to move and speak. It’s about removing the clutter so that we can focus on what’s truly important—our relationship with Him and our love for others.
Think about your own life for a moment. What are the things that are weighing you down? Maybe it’s the constant busyness of your schedule, the endless pursuit of material things, or even the need to keep up appearances. What would it look like to let go of those things, to simplify, and to trust that God’s plan for you is enough?
In Genesis 3, we see the first temptation where Eve is deceived into thinking that more knowledge, more power, would make her like God. But in reaching for more, she lost the simplicity and purity of her relationship with God. How often do we fall into that same trap, thinking that we need more to be complete, when what we truly need is to return to the simplicity of walking with God in the garden?
This week, I want to challenge you to take a step toward simplifying your life. Maybe it’s cleaning out your closet, turning off the noise of social media, or saying “no” to an extra commitment that’s stretching you too thin. Whatever it is, do it with the intention of making more room for God.
Remember, God is not found in the abundance of things but in the still, small voice that speaks to us when we quiet our lives and open our hearts. Let’s embrace the habit of simplifying, trusting that in doing less, we’re actually making space for God to do so much more.
Blessings,
Erica