Seven

Oh man.

I have been reading this book by Jen Hatmaker titled 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess.  And woah, this book is getting to me.  What a controversial read in the midst of a society plagued by consumerism...myself included!

I will be the first to tell you I have my vices and that I justify & rationalize them away until I feel better about myself.  But this book goes straight for the heart behind it all and you can't avoid taking a look at your own life.  There is freedom in observing where more joy might be found in the simple versus the surplus.

In Seven the author takes a month a piece to focus on seven different categories: clothes, shopping, waste, food, possessions, media, and stress.  She works through all the emotions tied to getting rid of the excess in these categories of her life and in the process is so relatable, so honest,  so funny. I literally would sit alone cracking up while reading over a cup of coffee.  Here are a few passages that are my personal favorites:::

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"When the jars of clay remember they are jars of clay, the treasure within gets all the glory, which seems somehow more fitting."

"This life is a breath. Heaven is coming fast, and we live in that thin space where faith and obedience have relevance. We have this one life to offer; there is no second chance, no plan B for the good news. We get one shot at living to expand the kingdom, fighting for justice.  We'll stand before Jesus once, and none of our luxuries will accompany us. We'll have one moment to say, "This is how I lived."

"Jesus' kingdom continues in the same manner it was launched; through humility, subversion, love, sacrifice; through calling empty religion to reform and behaving like we believe the meek will indeed inherit the earth.  We cannot carry the gospel to the poor and lowly while emulating the practices of the rich and powerful."

"He wanted it made.  He thinks the world is good, and He loves it.  It is His world; He has never relinquished title to it.  And he has never revoked conditions, bearing on His gift to us the use of it, that obliges us to take excellent care of it.  If God loves the world, then how might any person of faith be excused for not loving it or justified in destroying it?"

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I came out of my time consumed in this book feeling like I had taken a breath of fresh air.  That I have a choice, that I don't have to submit to the social norm of our culture.  Actually I have a choice to do otherwise.  And while it may feel like sacrifice, actually it is pretty freeing.  Don't you just feel so tangled up in the web of excess sometimes? Ah I do and it just feels heavy. Oh the joy of simple living.

Hope you have a little down time to pick up this book.  Seriously, its worth a read.

xo, Kelsey Belle

Seven