It was about a year ago I was challenged by the Spirit to simplify my life a little more. Because we live in a metro area that has decent transportation alternatives, I knew it wasn’t a huge sacrifice. To that point I rarely used the old car I had, trying to utilize the bus as much as possible, as well as walking and biking.

I gave the old car to my son in Duluth so he could get around a bit easier and for the past year I have used transportation alternatives a lot more. Last summer there were days I simply walked everywhere as the Spirit would ask me to pray over neighborhoods. I biked a bit more last summer as well.

Along with the bus I found some interesting alternatives when I needed a car. I settled on Hour Car, which is a system that allows me to rent a car by the hour. Price it out, it’s not cheap, but it’s convenient and I don’t use it often. In the winter it was a life saver. I would be downtown and need to get to a meeting and back in decent time, so the bus was out, and I would reserve the Hour Car and use it.

There are other alternatives that help supplement using the bus when necessary. I haven’t given up driving completely, but it has really been a shift I have enjoyed. Our metro area makes it a bit easier to give up a car, so I knew it wasn’t something huge as a sacrifice. It was an act of obedience to the Lord and along the way I’ve learned a few things.

1. It has slowed my pace.

I can’t be in a hurry if I use the bus. I have to give myself time. And when I take that time, I sit on the bus and pray, or I read, or I notice people. It makes me schedule myself better so I know what’s on my calendar and I make sure I have transportation worked out. Things that are “spur of the moment” aren’t as quick anymore.

2. I really don’t like driving as much as I used to.

There were days I took my wife to work because that was the cheapest way to use another vehicle, but those were days I battled rush hour traffic and it drove me crazy.

3. I enjoy people more.

I’ve always enjoyed people and being around people. But on the bus I am put around all kinds of people. Rather than be bothered by “different” people, I learn to observe, pray for them, listen, and sometimes engage them. I always am struck by my heart praying, “Lord, this is how the Kingdom should be. All kinds of people making their way together. I don’t get to choose who I ride with today, but we do this journey together.” THAT is what I want to learn about the Kingdom of God.

4. My journey is more deliberate.

Last summer as well as this summer, there have been times when I have walked more because the Spirit will tell me to take a longer walk to a bus stop and pray along the way. I’ve biked more because it slows me down and I notice more things about my neighborhood. My prayer awareness is up.

5. My expenses are down.

On the practical side, it’s a net gain. The bus doesn’t cost as much as gas and maintenance on a car, I don’t have a car payment, or the added insurance. It’s been a net gain this year. (That’s for all you Dave Ramsey types.)

These are observations for ME. This is not advocating for anyone to give up their car. Many places aren’t practical for that. I’m not advocating for anything other than obedience to the Spirit. There are areas to simplify. Areas to slow down. And we need to be listening. It will open up parts of our lives to the Spirit we didn’t know were asleep!

This is also NOT saying, “Well, I’ve given a car up for a year, and now I’m going back.”

I’m not. I am only noting a bit of an anniversary. I will keep on with this particular style for as long as I can see because, quite frankly, I have come to enjoy it.

I am thankful I heard the Spirit on this one.