If you were to make a list of all the things the Bible tells Christians to do in the New Testament it would be a long one.
Seek Justice.
Live in unity.
Pursue holiness.
Love one another.
Stop trying to save yourself!
Yet one of my favorite exhortations is rarely mentioned and tucked away toward the end of Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians.
Paul is writing to first century Christians on the Greek coast who are living into this new way of faith. They’ve come to believe Jesus Christ is the savior of the world and is exalted over all things. They’ve pledged their allegiance to him, affirming that he is Lord of all.
So what does this Apostle tell them to do?
“Make it your ambition to live a quiet life” (1 These 4:11).
Don’t just try to make as much noise as you can, don’t pursue notoriety, or the greatest amount of influence.
Make it your ambition—your goal—to live quietly.
Put your hand to the plow, quietly living the life of faith and love to which you are called. You don’t need the affirmation of the world or the eyes of others. “And your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matt 6:4).
Be radically quiet in your devotion to Jesus. Live wholeheartedly for the tasks in front of you.
I think the quiet Paul refers to here isn’t just external, it’s internal as well. Before we can live quietly with our work, we have to find quiet in our soul. We must address those open wounds of our hearts and the anxious fears of our mind. We must process our unmet longings and share our hopes with another. We must open ourselves up to the God of peace.
Where are you struggling to find quiet? Where are you fighting to be seen, acknowledged, and heard?
Perhaps these are the places where the Holy Spirit is longing to bring healing, to bring peace. Take an inventory of your soul, dig into your heart, and bring what you find before the Lord.
A quiet life is just around the corner.
That’s it for this week’s Crosstalk. If this was encouraging to you, would you forward it to a friend?
J.D., thank you for recognizing that verse. I’m far from perfect but thats the way I’ve tried to live.Im so thankful for Gods mercy and love. He has blessed me with a beautiful
gift. My three kids( two son and laws and soon to be daughter and law) My prayer is that other people can see God in us as we strive to be a better person. Love y’all
This was my favorite one yet. Thanks, JD.