Breathing Room | Simplicity of Thought
Deeper Dive
Sermon Recap
This week we talked about the practice of simplicity. Jesus warns us that life does not consist in the abundance of possessions (Luke 12:15). The problem isn’t stuff itself — it’s the story we believe about stuff: that more is better.
Simplicity begins not in our schedules or closets but in our hearts. Before we declutter our homes or rearrange our calendars, we have to be honest about what we’re chasing — and why. A simple heart is a focused heart. It knows what matters most and orders life around that.
---Go a Little Deeper
The Lie of More
After WWII, our culture began to equate happiness with consumption. Advertising and, later, algorithms have spent decades convincing us that satisfaction is just one purchase, promotion, or experience away. Jesus calls this “greed” — not because He’s against having things, but because He knows we were never meant to find our identity in them.
Reflect on how the “lie of more” shows up not only in possessions but also in status, approval, or achievement.
Naming What Matters
In Matthew 6 and Luke 12, Jesus contrasts “treasures on earth” with “treasures in heaven.” He’s not talking about where our stuff is stored but where our hearts are set. “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Simplicity starts by naming our treasures — by deciding what we value most and choosing to live in line with that.
Discussion Questions
1. When you hear the phrase “more is better,” where do you feel its pull most — in possessions, time, experiences, or something else?
2. Read Luke 12:22–34 together. What do you think Jesus means by “life is more than food, and the body more than clothes”?
3. What does a simple heart look like to you?
4. Why do you think it’s easier to declutter our homes than to declutter our desires?
5. If someone looked at how you spend your time, energy, and money, what might they say your priorities are?
6. What does treasure in heaven look like in real life? How can we invest in that kind of treasure together?
Practice to Try-Name Your Priorities, Audit Your Life, Simplify Your Heart
Name Your Priorities
This can feel like a big task, so don’t overthink it. Naming your priorities isn’t about creating a perfect list — it’s about getting honest with yourself and God about what really matters.
You might find it helpful to think about your life in terms of the different roles you have — things like parent, spouse, friend, coworker, neighbor, or follower of Jesus. Then, for each role, write a short sentence describing how you want to fulfill that role in a way that reflects your commitment to Jesus.
For example:
· As a parent, I want to be present and patient, creating space for my kids to know they are deeply loved.
· As a friend, I want to show up, listen well, and be someone others can count on.
The more succinctly you can name your priorities, the better. When you can say it simply, you can live it clearly. You may even notice that, after writing out your roles, a handful of short statements begin to emerge that capture the essence of what matters most across all of them.
Don’t rush through this. Sit with it. Pray over it. Write a few rough drafts if you need to. This is how you begin to live with a heart that’s clear and undivided.
Audit Your Life
Once you’ve named your priorities, the next step is to take an honest look at how you’re actually living. Think of this as a gentle audit — not a guilt trip. The goal isn’t to feel bad; it’s to see clearly.
Over the next few days, look back at the past month (or, if that feels like too much, the past week) and pay attention to three key areas: time, money, and energy.
Time: Pull up your calendar, planner, or even just think through an average week. Where did your hours go? What filled your mornings, evenings, weekends? Were you present where you most wanted to be? What activities felt meaningful, and which ones just filled space?
Money: Look at your bank or credit card statement from the past month. Where did your money go? What expenses reflect your values and priorities? What spending might be more about convenience, comfort, or impulse than intention?
Energy: This one takes a bit more reflection. Over the next few days, jot down moments when you feel energized and alive and moments when you feel drained or depleted. Pay attention to who you’re with, what you’re doing, and even what time of day it is. Patterns will start to emerge — and they’ll tell you a lot about what restores you and what wears you down.
After you’ve looked at all three areas, simply notice what you see. Where do things feel aligned with your priorities, and where do they feel out of sync? Awareness is the first step toward change.
Don’t aim for perfection. Aim for clarity. Small, honest observations create real breathing room.
Purify Your Heart
Fasting is a practice of simplicity — a way of letting go of what we normally reach for so that we can reach for God instead. It’s not about punishment or self-denial for its own sake. It’s about creating space in our bodies and minds to remember that life doesn’t come from bread alone.
This week, consider joining Pastor Nick in fasting on Mondays. You might skip a meal, limit certain foods, or step away from a habit that tends to fill space God could occupy. As you fast, let your hunger or longing become a cue to pray:
“God, help me hunger for the things that matter most.”
If fasting from food isn’t wise for you — for example, if you have a history of disordered eating, are pregnant, nursing, diabetic, or on medication — please don’t feel pressured to do so. Instead, consider a non-food fast (social media, caffeine, screens, or another area of overconsumption). The point isn’t what you give up; it’s the posture of returning your focus to God.
Use the time or space you free up to reflect, pray, or simply be still. Notice what surfaces when you stop reaching for what usually fills the quiet.
Fasting helps us remember that what we truly need most — we already have in God.
Closing Prayer
God of peace and plenty, Teach us to live with open hands and uncluttered hearts. Free us from the lie that more will make us whole. Show us what really matters, And give us the courage to live as if it’s true. Amen.