In this highly charged and commercialized culture, the inherent benefits of basic concepts such as modesty and frugality cannot be underestimated. These virtues, which were once considered Christian values, have been forgotten in the blind struggle for achievement, money, and fame.
But what is lost, can be found again and what is forgotten can be remembered; humility and simplicity bring a much happier and more productive life. Nevertheless, here are the forgotten virtues that should be analyzed in this article and their applicability in modern Christian life.
Humility: A Misunderstood Virtue
Modesty which is one of the most valued qualities in today’s culture is not well understood. The term humility is often related to submissiveness, lack of assertiveness, or even low self-esteem or self-worth.
However, biblical humility, on the one hand, is different as it focuses on acknowledging one’s weakness, complete reliance on God, and dressing humbly without priorities of pride and selfishness. Yes, when it’s referred to as ‘cancelling ourselves,’ it does not mean that we ought to degrade ourselves or become less important in our thoughts, but rather, it is about thinking less of ourselves, specifically, thinking less about ourselves.
Patience’s biblical references are sources that display humility. The valour and humility of the piety of Jesus Christ are evident in the Scriptures. Although Jesus was God incarnated in humans, he fulfilled the life of the servant.
Philippians 2:5-8 says it this way: “This is my message to you, ‘You who are yourselves Romans, have the same attitude that was in CHRIST JESUS, Who, although He was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be emulated.
Instead, He depleted Himself by taking the form of a slave, by becoming like human beings, Finally, appearing in the quiet likeness of a man, He
A humble person like Jesus did not from any superior attitude but rather was humbled when dealing with other people. He washed His disciples’ feet, cured the sick, and several minutes for those whom the society did not wish to acknowledge. In the same way, to follow the example of The Lord and live meekly in these lives we have available to us.
The Challenge of Humility in Modern Life
It is not easy to live invisible or ‘small’ when one is living in the present-day world. People prioritize self-fulfilment and personal accomplishments more than the welfare of the community and are concerned with people’s needs and problems.
Considerations such as social media assist users in parading their achievements to the entire society. Thus, standing out from the crowd becomes a question of overcoming the tendency towards arrogance when humility has become a gauche virtue.
Yet, one can never overemphasize the importance of the aspect of humility in healthy relationships. Fisher & Shapiro note that being humble makes people more receptive to the opinions of others, and accept blame and apologies.
First and foremost, humility prepares us for fully valuing others and acknowledging their work. It creates harmony and unity, qualities that are desirable in any community, as well as in a family household.
Measures That Can Be Implemented to Improve Humility
A humble personality is therefore one that needs to be developed to be a virtue that is cultivated within individuals. Here are some practical steps to help us develop this virtue:
Practice Gratitude
Stan Lee also thought about the many blessings he received, and this annual reflection could help many of us remember how much we need help from others and God. Probably thankfulness helps to develop in an individual the understanding that he or she is not as independent as it seemed earlier, but there are many people she or he is owing.
Serve Others
All kinds of service, whether in the literal or tangible sense, are done to redirect the ego of the self and onto the requirements of other individuals. It is possible to volunteer in our societies, give help to the next-door neighbour, or be available for a friend whenever they require something.
Admit Mistakes
One can easily add humility as a strength if he is willing to admit the mistakes he made and apologize for them. It makes it imperative to work on weaknesses, take the blame when things go wrong, and do that with pride.
Listen more
Christians should intentionally try and listen better to others so they become aware and acknowledge the thoughts and actions of others.
Reflect on Jesus’ Example: One of the possible examples of how we can live like Jesus is to learn about Him and try to be humble like a child from the crib. The Gospels contain numerous portrayals of his Humility, both in his words and his deeds.
Simplicity: Embracing less for more
Another value you get from Pareto analysis, namely, simplicity is another dimension of Christian living that has been virtually abandoned by today’s Christianity.
Nowadays, living simply is not a concept that can be comprehended easily for the majority of people do not know what real success means besides having a lot of money and things. However, simplicity is an indication of the desire to be free from the noise and lavishness of life subjecting ourselves to the important things and affairs in our existence.
Biblical Foundation of Simplicity
Proverbs are full of bits of advice in locutions like ‘There is nothing better than to eat by one’s hands and to better living employing simplicity’. Sometimes people asked Jesus to judge whether their riches were allowed or not, while Jesus tried to explain that the true value in life is not in having gold or silver, and one needs to have faith instead.
In Matthew 6:19-21 He told them, ‘Do not accumulate worldly possessions, treasures that moth and rust consume and thieves break in and steal; Instead, store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where moth and rust do not consume, and thieves do not break in and steal. For where your heart is, there too will your treasure be.
The Sermon teaches us to be focused on the spiritual progress of one’s soul as well as to be carefree about material possessions. As such, this line of thinking goes against putting materialism at the forefront of most aspects of life today.
The Benefits of Simplicity
As the saying goes, ‘The simple life has its advantages.’ This can also help minimize stress and anxiety as one is not always being pressured to attain and gain more material items or be on par with another person. Simplicity also helps us be in the moment and be more aware of what is going on around and within, noticing the wonders of life and the good things that are already in our lives.
Additionally, it creates an attitude of satisfaction and appreciation as well since nothing is complicated. Posing a way of thinking that emphasizes the presence of things rather than the lack of them, we are inclined to feel content and more at ease. Such contentment encourages people to be more generous since they can be assured that they have enough to share with others.
Actions to be Taken
Some Actions Which Need to Be Taken for Putting the Concept of Simplicity into Practice. There are no quick fixes to the complexity of life and therefore to embrace simplicity, one has to decide in this regard. Here are some practical steps to help us live more simply:
Declutter
Slimming down our living spaces is also beneficial in advocating for tidiness since it helps eradicate disorderly items from our elegant homes. It may be the time to think whether it would not be wiser to give some pieces of clothing to those who would be glad to have them.
Limit Media Consumption
It’s true that if we can find ways to spend less time on social media and other unproductive entertainment, then we can spend more time on meaningful pursuits and meaningful and valuable relationships.
Prioritize Relationships
To a large extent spending time and effort in relationships with family, friends and other people from our surroundings is far more rewarding than spending money and gaining more possessions.
Practice Mindfulness
Aim to live in the moment and embrace the small things that are present in life – this will make one feel happy and content.
Seek God’s Guidance: Praying suggestible assists in listening for what is authentic and assists in evaluating things in light of what is valuable.
Combining Humility and Simplicity
It can be seen that these two virtues are interrelated: humility comes from being meek in spirit while being simple is the result of lowliness of mind. Both virtues are selfless in the sense that they free us from concentrated, possessive arrogance and teach us to turn to God and other people.
The first of these virtues promotes humility, as the insights of the humble reveal their need for, and appreciation of others and God. By being simple, we can escape all the worldly affairs and vices that may lead to an unproductive and unfulfilled life in terms of spiritual and social responsibilities.
Practising these values daily
Humility and simplicity can indeed become vital working tools that can be integrated into our everyday practices. Here are some additional ways to live out these virtues:
Set Intentional Goals
It will be useful to set goals that reflect a down-to-earth outlook when it comes to working towards the achievement of the objectives. For example, it might be personal to commit more time to volunteer or to budget for unnecessary purchases.
Create Rituals
Prescribing certain activities that can be sustainably incorporated into each day or week can also help bolster these virtues. For instance, you may dedicate the first part of the day to a prayer of thankfulness or devote one day of the week to the act of cleaning the house.
Find a Community
Having people around you who are committed similar to you and who also aspire to live simple lifestyles can be inspiring. Try attending a church group or community organization of this nature as they uphold such values.
Reflect Regularly
Do not neglect your journey forward, somehow ponder over what you can strive for, so that you may become even more humble and simple. It would be recommended to write in a diary about these feelings or talk them through with a close friend/family member or a counsellor.
Challenges and Rewards
Although leading a virtuous life and embracing modesty is not that hard, one is bound to face various hassles. One might get carried away by the desires of the culture; having lots of resources, wealth, and fame.
However, they reap remarkable benefits in their personal and professional life. In embracing the qualities that define a meaningful life, liberation from the things that do not truly matter is potentially achieved.
Reconciliation with God
However, reconciliation with God through these virtues can also intensify the fellowship with God. In comprehensively understanding that we rely on His divine help, our obeisance to His will leads to unity with Him and a realization of His companionship in our lives.
The merits of obedience, humility, and simplicity which characterized the lives of the Desert Fathers and Mothers cannot provide an effective remedy against spiritual shallowness and organized boredom, but they can give one a certain distance from the noise of the contemporary world and help to find some stillness in it.
Conclusion
Thus, people are trying to invent and bring back these lost virtues in their everyday lives to realize a more fruitful existence.
We can improve interpersonal friendships, find joy and pleasure, and work on the bond with God. It’s time that we set our goal very high and try to lead a very simple and humble life the way Jesus did and as Jesus wanted us to. Thus, we can reconsider the full potential of human existence and experience: the aesthetics of spirituality and loving care.
