Almost Amish

Sometime in late May or early June, I had the wonderful opportunity to receive a review copy of a new book by one of my favorite authors – or author families, I guess.

In mid-May, I received an email from Emma Sleeth at BlessedEarth.org, who is herself a published author.

Her father, Matthew Sleeth wrote a book called, Serve God, Save the Planet, which I read back in June of 2010.

That book, combined with my shocking discovery (since I was working as a WAHM consultant with a pretty well known, semi-natural company at the time, it really was a shock to me) of a product line that was truly organic from a company deeply committed to sustainable business practices, were two major forces that God used to ‘kick it up a notch’ for me on my journey of more natural living.

Contrary to the secular humanist worldview of sustainability that says, ‘We can save the world by changing how we live,’ my perspective is a bit different.  I guess you could say it’s more along the lines of ‘we love because He first loved us.’

Don’t get me wrong.  There are LOT of wonderful, amazing people out there doing great things for sustainability from all different walks of life and every possible religious background, who I truly admire greatly.  In many cases, I suspect their hearts may be more in tune with the heart of God than are the hearts of some church-goers in America.  Nonetheless…

I don’t put much stock in man’s ability to save ourselves from ourselves.

I am not on a journey of continual change for sustainable living because I think that by doing so, *I* (or the collective we) will save the world.

I am on this journey because God has convicted my heart about making daily choices increasingly more in line with His heart, out of an ever deepening love for Him and for all His creation – including of course, all people.

As He reveals His Love more and more to all the world and changes our hearts more and more, He will, through us, restore the world to a sustainable future – one where He is recognized as the Sustainer of all life and where everything is put back into harmony under His loving authority.

The Sleeth family gets that.  They have been on this journey for a while now too, and each book I’ve read shares a bit more of their own story on this journey of conviction and love.

In her newest book, Almost Amish, Nancy Sleeth (wife to Matthew and mom to Emma) weaves together her own family’s story with time honored (even if not always honored by the broader culture) ways of the Amish people to make a very compelling and attractive case for slowing down, simplifying things, and living more sustainably.  And, as with all the Sleeth-family books, Nancy’s warm-hearted, personable style can be appreciated by people of all worldview perspectives.

All my life, I’ve lived within just a few hours drive of Lancaster County, and I’ve certainly been aware of the Amish people.  But, I’m not sure I ever gave much thought to why they have chosen to remain so true to their traditions.

Nancy’s book both helped me to better understand the Biblical roots to the Amish way of life, and encouraged me to continue pressing on in this journey.

When I read books like Almost Amish, or books about other intentional communities such Shane Claiborne’s Irresistible Revolution, I confess to sometimes feeling overwhelmed by the obstacles to creating more close knit community in the suburban setting in which I find myself.

I wonder what on earth this looks like – to create a more intentional community right in my neighborhood – when I feel simultaneously more connected to people outside my neighborhood through church, community organizations, or work AND at the same time so busy within my “four walls” just caring for my own small children and household.

Even as I write this, I find my heart drawn toward wanting to organize a block party or something.  I think that must be my first step.

Yikes life is so rich and complicated!  Relationships with God, spouses, children, neighbors, friends, family, business partners and clients, strangers…  When I try to organize it all in nice little neat compartments in my head, my brain just begins to shut down.  I just pray that God will guide my steps daily and use me to speak love to whomever He puts in my path that day, in whatever contexts.

But this is the big challenge, isn’t it?  Learning how to slow down, simplify, and live more sustainably within the context of a culture that is anything but slow, simple, or sustainable.  The possibilities for the HOW of living out that change are nearly endless, and I can get easily overwhelmed if I try to make all these changes at once, or if I stop trusting Him for the daily process and journey of change.

Ultimately, my journey may look similar yet very different from Nancy’s journey, or anyone else’s journey.  While we can look to others for ideas, or inspiration, or guidance – and I definitely do highly recommend any and all of the Sleeth family’s books – we need to always avoid the temptation to compare or envy.  What matters is that we each ask Him daily what to do with the time He’s given us – and be faithful to walk out our unique roles to play in this unfolding of history.

Gradually over time, as we seek Him first and follow, He will produce that lasting change that ultimately restores all creation.  I am so thankful that I can rest in that knowledge and not give in to the temptation to stress out about every little change I still hope to make.

What about you?  Where do you find your greatest sense of community?  What changes toward more sustainable living do you still want to makes?  What books have you read that inspire you?  Do you struggle with comparing yourself to others who may be on different points along this journey?  How do you remind yourself to rest in the love and plan God has for you?