Imagine your life as a lake. When the wind is calm, the water is still and clear, reflecting the beauty of the sky and the surroundings without distortion. But when the wind picks up, the surface becomes choppy, and the reflection is lost. Aspiring to live quietly is like seeking to keep the lake of your life calm, allowing it to reflect the beauty of God’s presence within you and around you. The quieter your life, the clearer your reflection of Christ.
In 1 Thessalonians 4:11 (ESV) the Apostle Paul says: “But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, and to aspire to live quietly, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.”
What does it mean to live quietly before God? What is truly stealing our peace and rest? Where in our lives have we created unnecessary noise and drama? What are the things that repeatedly pull us into unnecessary comparisons and turmoil?
The Apostle Paul mentioned three areas where we practically aspire to lead a quiet, productive, and God-glorifying life. Click the link below to learn more:
Practical Steps to Lead a Quiet and Impactful Life
1. Attending to our own affairs:
As the apostle Paul urges, “aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs…” (1 Thessalonians 4:11)
- One way to focus on our own affairs is by diligently guarding our souls as the Word instructs.
- As Scripture says, “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)
- In another passage, it emphasizes, “Diligently keep your soul.” (Deuteronomy 4:9)
- Let us carefully tend to the spiritual garden of our lives. Do not let the serpent to mess with it as it was in the original garden. (Genesis 3)
2. Engaging in humble works:
As the above texts states: “Aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs… and to work with your hands, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.”
- In this context, the work mentioned in the text refers to labor that constitutes toil, effort, patience and humility. Such a humble work reduces unnecessary distractions to seek out attention. Instead it helps us to focus on fulfilling our responsibilities by stepping out of the spotlight and take up the tasks that await us behind the curtain. These tasks are waiting in our respective places. In doing so, we can cultivate quietness within ourselves and make an enduring impact on others. The good news is that even though the work is demanding, we work alongside the Lord, who bears our burden with us.
3) Witness through God-Honoring Quietness
“Aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, so that you may walk properly before outsiders…” (1 Thessalonians 4:11)
- The Lord is glorified through our quietness and humble service. Thus, He uses our humble work as a vehicle to show his love for those outside of the faith.
- We cultivate true peace and rest when we fulfill this great purpose of life, which is to bear witness to the Gospel.
May the Lord help us!
Rev. Dr. Yared Halche
Executive Director of Witness,
Southeastern District, LCMS