The Spiritual Discipline of Subtraction

In one of the Wild at Heart podcasts (I don’t remember which one), Blaine Eldredge made a statement that caused me to stop and ponder:

“We talk about the mistake of adding when the life with God is largely about subtraction or replacement.”

I think this is a great insight. Most of us approach the Christian life like students eager for extra credit. We want to know what we can add to our already busy schedules—more Bible studies, more service projects, more activities. Deep down we think, If I can just stack enough good things together, then God will surely be pleased with me.

But Scripture shows us that life with God doesn’t begin with addition. More often than not, it begins with subtraction.

The Rich Young Ruler’s Dilemma

In Mark 10:17–22 we meet the rich young ruler who runs up to Jesus and asks, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” He is ready to add. His mindset is clear: Give me the next good work to tack onto my already impressive résumé.

Yet Jesus doesn’t add to his list. He subtracts. “You lack one thing: Go, sell all that you have and give to the poor… and come, follow me.”

The man went away sorrowful because the subtraction Jesus asked from him was too costly. His identity and security were wrapped up in wealth and position, and letting them go seemed impossible.

This encounter forces us to wrestle with a hard truth: sometimes the next step in following Jesus is not about doing more but about letting go of what already fills our hands.

The Burden of Addition

Our culture prizes addition. We measure our worth by accomplishments, possessions, and activities. Even in the church, busyness can masquerade as faithfulness. The problem is that constant addition eventually leads to exhaustion. We keep piling on responsibilities, hobbies, commitments, and distractions until we have no margin left to truly abide in Christ.

When Jesus says in Matthew 11:28–30, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,” He is offering a radically different way. His yoke is easy not because He expects nothing, but because He invites us to lay down the weight of unnecessary additions and to walk in the simplicity of love, obedience, and trust.

The Call to Subtraction

What might subtraction look like for us today? 

• Subtracting distractions: stepping away from the endless scroll of Netflix, social media, or news cycles that consume our time and attention.
• Subtracting misplaced loyalties: disentangling our identity from politics or culture wars that promise salvation but cannot deliver it.
• Subtracting busyness: saying no to the tyranny of schedules that leave no room for prayer, rest, or community.
• Subtracting idols: releasing whatever we cling to for security—money, reputation, success, or even good things like ministry—that keep us from depending fully on Jesus.

Paul captures this in Philippians 3:7–8: “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” 

Subtraction is not about depriving ourselves—it is about clearing space for the greater treasure of Christ Himself.

Subtraction as Freedom

When we think about subtraction, it feels like loss. But in God’s economy, subtraction is freedom. By letting go, we make room for God’s presence. By releasing what enslaves us, we discover true rest. By losing our lives, we find them (Matthew 16:25).

The goal isn’t simply to have less but to make space for what matters most: abiding in Jesus. Subtraction clears the clutter so that the voice of the Shepherd can be heard above the noise.

A Question to Carry

So here’s the question I’ve been pondering—and I invite you to ponder it with me:

What is Jesus calling you to subtract from your life?

It may be something that seems valuable. It may feel like a responsibility. It may even be something that has defined you for years. But if it keeps you from abiding in Jesus, it is worth letting go.

Following Jesus isn’t about stacking up spiritual achievements. It’s about living with open hands—willing to subtract whatever competes with Him, so that our lives can be filled with the only One who truly satisfies.

Paul’s Ponderings is a blog dedicated to reflecting on Scripture and encouraging believers to live out their faith with love and purpose.

The Humility We Desperately Need

In a world drowning in opinions, arguments, and endless streams of information, there’s one virtue we’re sorely lacking: humility. 

On September 23, 2019 I wrote this on Facebook: 

One of the things this world needs right now is a big dose of humility. Be humble enough to listen to the other side. Be humble enough to allow the Bible to renew your mind. Be humble enough to admit that you are ignorant about most things.

That thought has only grown more relevant with time. The more we stare at screens and live inside our own echo chambers, the more arrogant and dismissive we become. We are convinced our opinions are right and that the voices we follow are the good guys.

With my Facebook post I also shared this passage from Scott Adams’ book Win Bigly: 

“The common worldview, shared by most humans, is that there is one objective reality, and we humans can understand that reality through a rigorous application of facts and reason. This view of the world imagines that some people have already achieved a fact-based type of enlightenment that is compatible with science and logic, and they are trying to help the rest of us see the world the ‘right’ way. As far as I can tell, most people share that interpretation of the world. The only wrinkle with that worldview is that we all think we are the enlightened ones. And we assume the people who disagree with us just need better facts, and perhaps better brains, in order to agree with us.” — Scott Adams, Win Bigly, p. 2

I think Adams nails it! 

We all like to think we’ve cracked the code on truth. We’re the enlightened ones, armed with the right facts, the right logic, and the right perspective. I am convinced that many times as Christians we talk about “the truth” in this way. That is why we label it with things like absolute truth ore biblical truth. We want to let the world know that truth is on our side. Those who disagree? Well, they must be misinformed, misled, sinful, or just not thinking hard enough. 

But here’s the kicker: everyone feels this way. The conservative, the progressive, the skeptic, the believer—we’re all convinced we’re the ones seeing reality clearly. And that’s where the trouble starts.

The Humility to Listen

Humility begins with listening—really listening. Not the kind where you’re just waiting for your turn to speak or mentally crafting your rebuttal while the other person talks. This is the kind of listening that seeks to understand, even when you disagree. Humility seeks to find the morals and values that are the foundation of what the other person is saying. This is hard. It’s uncomfortable. It forces you to sit with ideas that might challenge your carefully constructed worldview. 

Even though it is hard, it is one of the ways that we are able to express love for the other person. We are showing them the respect they deserve as a person created in God’s image. It is possible to love someone without agreeing with them.

In James 1:19, we’re told, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” 

James shares timeless wisdom here that slices through our modern noise. Listening doesn’t mean you have to agree. It doesn’t mean you abandon your convictions. It means you value the other person enough to hear them out, to consider that they might—just might—have a perspective worth understanding. 

Humility recognizes that no single person has a monopoly on truth, and sometimes, the “other side” might reveal a blind spot you didn’t know you had.

The Humility to Be Renewed

If we’re honest, most of us cling to our beliefs like life rafts. They give us identity, security, and a sense of belonging. 

Let me ask you a very important question: What happens when those beliefs are challenged—not by an opponent in a debate, but by the very Word of God? 

Romans 12:2 urges us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” That’s a call to humility—a willingness to let God’s truth reshape our thoughts, even when it’s uncomfortable. Are you willing to let Scripture renew your mind?

This kind of humility requires us to hold our beliefs loosely enough to let Scripture challenge them. It means admitting that our understanding of the world—whether it’s politics, morality, or even faith—might not be as airtight as we think. 

It’s not about throwing out conviction; it’s about trusting that God’s truth is bigger than our current understanding. When we approach the Bible with humility, we open ourselves to growth, to correction, and to a deeper relationship with the One who is the Truth.

The Humility to Admit Ignorance

Perhaps the hardest part of humility is admitting we don’t know as much as we think we do. In a world of instant access to information, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking we’ve got it all figured out. But the reality is, our knowledge is limited. We’re finite beings trying to make sense of an infinitely complex world. As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 13:12:

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

Admitting ignorance isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom. It’s the starting point for learning, for growth, for meaningful dialogue. When we acknowledge that we don’t have all the answers, we create space for curiosity, for questions, and for genuine connection with others. It’s a reminder that we’re all on a journey, and none of us has arrived at the destination yet.

Breaking the Cycle of Division

Scott Adams’ observation about our “enlightened” worldviews points to a deeper issue: our pride. 

When we assume we’re the ones with the right facts and everyone else is just wrong, we fuel division. We stop seeing people as individuals with their own stories, struggles, and reasons for believing what they do. Instead, we reduce them to caricatures—“the uninformed,” “the misguided,” or worse.

Humility flips that script. It invites us to see others as fellow travelers, not enemies. It challenges us to listen with empathy, to let God’s Word refine our thinking, and to embrace the limits of our own understanding. In a world that’s quick to shout and slow to hear, humility is a radical act—a countercultural choice that can bridge divides and foster understanding.

A Call to Action

So, where do we go from here? Let’s start small. This week, try one of these:

1. Listen to someone you disagree with. Not to argue, but to understand. Ask questions. Resist the urge to correct or convince. Just listen.
2. Let Scripture challenge you. Pick a passage that feels uncomfortable or unfamiliar, and sit with it. Ask God to renew your mind, even if it means rethinking something you’ve held dear.
3. Admit you don’t know. The next time you’re tempted to act like an expert, pause. Acknowledge the limits of your knowledge, and invite someone else to share their perspective.

The world doesn’t need more people shouting their version of the truth. It needs more people humble enough to listen, to learn, and to grow. Let’s be those people.

What’s one way you’ve practiced humility lately? Or, what’s a situation where you’ve struggled to stay humble? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

Paul’s Ponderings is a blog dedicated to reflecting on Scripture and encouraging believers to live out their faith with love and purpose.

Living in Light, Love, and Truth: Hospitality and Mission

Text: 3 John

The Apostle John, the last remaining eyewitness of Jesus, wrote three short letters near the end of his life. They’re not grand theological papers. They’re personal and pastoral—filled with concern for people. As we’ve journeyed through these letters, we’ve seen how deeply John cared about truth (holding to the real teaching about Jesus), love (living out that truth in relationship), and light (representing King Jesus in the world by the way we live).

When we open John’s third letter, we discover that his concern wasn’t just abstract theology—it was hospitality, relationships, and how Christians treat one another. In other words, truth, love, and light always show up in real-life ways.

A Church with a Hospitality Problem

If 2 John warns believers not to show hospitality to false teachers, 3 John flips the issue on its head: John encourages believers to show hospitality to the right people—those faithfully doing the work of spreading the Gospel.

The letter involves three people:

• Gaius, the recipient, who is faithfully caring for traveling missionaries.
• Diotrephes, a prideful leader refusing to welcome these workers and even speaking against John.
• Demetrius, a traveling minister John commends to the church.

Gaius didn’t try to become a famous preacher or correct every problem in the church. He simply welcomed and supported those who carried the message of Jesus. By showing hospitality, he became a partner in their ministry.

John calls this “joining in their work.” Gaius didn’t travel. He didn’t preach. But he participated in the mission because he supported those who did.

What Was the Real Issue?

Diotrephes had one main issue: pride. He wanted to control the church, shut people out, and elevate himself. He refused hospitality—not because of doctrine, but because he wanted power.

John doesn’t ask Gaius to fight him. He doesn’t tell him to argue, confront, or defend John’s reputation. Instead, John says, in essence:

Keep doing the right thing. Be faithful. I’ll deal with Diotrephes when I come in person.

John understands something that many of us like to ignore: most conflicts should be addressed face to face. Not with a text. Not over email. Not through rumors or social media. Love shows up. Love is personal.

What Does This Mean for Us?

This short letter shows that faithfulness isn’t complicated. It reveals itself in three simple but powerful ways:

1. Hospitality: Joining the Work of the Gospel

Hospitality is more than inviting someone over for dinner (though that matters too). It’s making room in your life to bless someone else. Today, this might look like:

• Supporting missionaries and ministries that do Kingdom work . 
• Serving with a local ministry. 
• Inviting someone lonely to your house for supper. 
• Offering help, time, and care to someone God has placed in your path.

Hospitality is participation in God’s mission.

2. Humility Over Pride

Diotrephes reminds us how easy it is to make church about control, influence, opinions, or position. Gaius reminds us that faithfulness is simply doing our part.

You don’t have to do everything. You don’t have to fix everyone. You just need to be faithful to what God has given you to do.

Sometimes that means speaking up. Other times—like Gaius—it means letting someone else handle it.

3. Presence: Love Shows Up

John traveled to deal with conflict personally. Why? Because real love doesn’t shout from a distance. It sits with people. It listens. It acts.

Maybe someone in your life doesn’t need advice right now. Maybe they just need you to show up:

• To sit with them in grief.
• To celebrate with them in joy. 
• To volunteer when help is needed.
• To listen instead of lecture.

Presence is love in the flesh—just like Jesus.

Faithfulness Isn’t Complicated

John’s little letter teaches us this beautifully simple truth:

Faithfulness to Jesus is not abstract theology—it is a life of loyalty that shows up in love, humility, and hospitality.

In a world full of Diotrephes—voices trying to dominate, control, and win—be a Gaius.Make Jesus first, not yourself. Don’t underestimate what God can do through small acts of faithfulness.

A Christmas Challenge

This season, practice hospitality in the name of Jesus: 

• Invite someone into your home. 
• Visit someone who is lonely. 
• Support a missionary, a ministry, or a cause that shares God’s love. 
• Show up where there is hurt. 
• Offer your presence where there is need.

You may not be a traveling preacher like Demetrius, but your faithfulness—like Gaius—can advance the Gospel.

The Kingdom grows not through power, but through faithful love that shows up.

May we be that kind of people. May Bethlehem Church be that kind of family. May Jesus be honored through our simple, faithful hospitality. Amen.

Paul’s Ponderings is a blog dedicated to reflecting on Scripture and encouraging believers to live out their faith with love and purpose.