Mutiny Against Excess

As much as I would love to take credit for the title, it comes from this book:

7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess by Jen Hatmaker

I took the picture in an attempt at irony - the book crammed in between two enormous suitcases and backpacks while we waited at the Tokyo-Narita airport. But the picture is bad so all nuance is lost.

I've been out of the contemporary Christian world for a few years now. I haven't been actively involved in church or Bible studies, and therefore I've pretty much lost touch with the latest and greatest (or at least the most publicized) of those doing God's work. So, I'm trying to work my way back in. God - and (some of) His people - have been painfully absent in my life and that has been repeatedly brought to my attention over the last few months.

Hatmaker and her husband started Austin New Church, and she has published several books. This is the only one I've read, though when I finished it, I ordered three more. How's that for consumerism? Hardy har har. Everyone knows that there cannot be an excess of books; that is impossible.

In the face of gnawing conviction (is there any other kind? :) Hatmaker decided, somewhat randomly, she admits, on the number 7. She decided to spend seven months giving up seven things in a sort of extended fast. Her intent was, in the spirit of Biblical fasting, to empty herself in order to make more room for God. In this case, the emptying was on multiple levels: she wanted room within her own soul for the Holy Spirit to work, but she also wanted to make tangible room, in her house, in her life, in her habits, in her community, and in her world, so that God could use that space for others.

For four weeks at a time, she adjusted her relationship with:
*food
*waste
*clothes
*spending
*possessions
*media
*stress

As a goal-oriented person, I appreciated this book so much. Hatmaker's attitude is not judgmental: she recounts what she tried, in her own life, based upon her own reasons, life and family situation, experiences, etc. She did not imply that everyone else must do exactly what she did; but she stressed the importance of (godly) self-evaluation and awareness. Her points are backed with scripture, and she is frank about wanting to live not just a godly life, but a good one. Like, a normal one. She didn't renounce all materials, give her house away, and run to the nunnery. But she did take a long and hard look at her materialism and how her lifestyle may (or may not) have affected the welfare or well-being of others.

She was pleasantly surprised in many ways, and I found the book thought-provoking and timely in my own life. One of my goals for the summer is to drastically (<-- I use that word purposefully) reduce our clutter and the amount of things we have in the house. Not only do I want to be more organized, but I want to be more sparse. The things left when the dust settles in August will be the things that add to our life or that help us add to the lives of others. All the extra, all the stuff that has just sat there since we moved in a few years ago, will be gone. And it will not be replaced.

I'm also looking forward to filling the gaps with the spirit, and with enhanced relationships, and - let's be honest - with souvenirs from future trips. :) :) I highly recommend this book; it's thought-provoking on many levels. I'll definitely re-read it.