First Things First...

Before heading too deeply into the Simply Sacred, it’s probably best to be clear about what “Simply Sacred” means- the phrase being far more meaningful and rich with promise than what each word would mean standing alone, apart from the other.  That is, to live “simply sacred” is far more than combining the meaning of the words “simply” and “sacred”.  But it’s probably wise to begin at the beginning; at seeing what it is that will be coming forth in the coming days, weeks..

The word “simple” can convey many meanings: the not-complex, the “easy-to-understand”, the uncomplicated. When we say something is “simple”, we most often mean that it’s not hard - not hard to do, not hard to understand. It can also mean an idea or concept, brought down to its most basic elements or parts.  In our current culture, the word “simple”, or “simplicity” also communicates an entire lifestyle of the paring down of possessions - a turning away from consumerism and the accumulation of “stuff”, toward a way of living that focuses more on experience and relationship than on “things”.  Ironically, the more we think about “simple”, the more we realize - the word is rather complex.

How many people would say that their lives are “simple”? With crowded calendars and stressful jobs, children to raise and meals to cook- not to mention the recent complications of navigating a world in pandemic, how could we possibly say our lives are simple? Some have discovered “simpler” lives as social obligations and life outside the immediate home has shifted, but I doubt many would agree that their lives are “simpler” than they were before.  In many ways, “simple” is relative - and thus harder to quantify or understand.  Many will say they long for a simpler life, a simpler place in time or space, but even so - they continue to run through life, dashing down rabbit holes, hopping over obstacles, never stopping to consider what they are missing in that blurry landscape that whizzes by, in the fractionated time and space of a hurried, harried life.  Many long for simple, but just have no idea where to begin.  They’re too busy, too rushed —to slow dow— to stop and examine “simple”.

When thinking of “sacred”, I would be most interested in knowing what you think - the first concept that comes to mind when you hear or read the word “sacred”.  That’s probably a bit unfair, since I’m fairly certain the term has wide understanding; that is, everyone would describe “sacred” in a different way: holy, precious, special, untouchable - a word that comes from rites and ceremonies of liturgical churches that imparts a sense of religion, of holiness, of God.  That’s not so far from the truth.  The word “sacred” comes from the Latin word “sacarare”: to make holy, to consecrate, to set apart, and it’s a term that isn’t all that common in our everyday language. I don’t think many of us think of “sacred” as relevant to our everyday lives.  After all, what’s sacred about our daily jobs? Feeding the kids? Making sure they are doing their homework? Or even more starkly - what’s sacred about scrubbing toilets and doing dishes and folding the laundry?

And therein lies the issue, I think.  We’ve lost the sense of “sacred” in our post-modern world.  Technology has robbed us of childlike wonder; everything can be explained away and brought down to bits and bytes in a universe measured by nanoseconds. Our societal drifting away from religion and ritual has distanced us from the sense of holiness and wonder in our daily lives. What once centered an entire culture in a shared experience of Sunday morning worship (or Friday night Shabbat) has been elbowed away, pushed aside in favor of running errands, playing sports, and driving-through for meals on the run.  For many, a life that is “simple” and a life that is “sacred” hardly portrays a life that is relevant to those of us living in the 21st century.  And obviously - a life that is “simply sacred” is a ludicrous proposal - an outdated, irrelevant notion best left behind with the accoutrements of the 19th and early 20th centuries.  There is no place here for a “simply sacred life”.

Ah.  But that’s not true.  I propose there has been no time, no people, no place in greater need of finding a Simply Sacred Life than you and me, right now, in this place, right here.

You see, for me, the  concept of living a “Simply Sacred Life” is not only attractive, but it is doable.  It’s how I’ve strived to live my life for 30+ years, and I know it is life-changing, life-elevating - and oh! so special. Living in a ‘simply sacred” way pares down my life to just the necessary elements.  It provides me with a framework - a paradigm - that helps me determine what is important, and what isn’t. From what I do very first thing in the morning, to how and when I lay down my head at night, and everything in-between, the philosophy of “Simply Sacred” is a clear path toward a life that honors God, and lives in love and obedience to Him; a life that promotes peace in me and in my family and friends; a life that strives to respect and steward this earth as a precious gift from Him, and ultimately, a lifestyle that promotes a true love of neighbor, each one around the world.

It’s not hard, this Simply Sacred Life. In the end, there’s nothing simpler - and it’s life-changing.  I promise.

Join me next time for the first steps toward living a Simply Sacred Life. It’s a journey you won’t regret.