What it Means to Live a Quiet Life



​When Toby and I first moved to Lake Charles, I professed I wanted a year of peace. I explained to him what that would entail. It was actually quite simple. A year of peace, for me, would mean not having to deal with other people. We had been through a long and arduous move (that’s a whole other story on its own), and I needed some quiet time to recuperate; to concentrate on ME for a while. In other words, I was done dealing with the DRAMA others caused in my life, so I wanted to cut off my relationships for a while and just enjoy the peacefulness of a drama-free life.



Where I went wrong with my plan for peace is that I was seeking peace by REMOVING things (or people) from my life, when true peace comes from ADDING or focusing on the right things. True peace is found in Christ, by abiding in His Word.



In 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, Paul tells the Thessalonians “Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others.”



I was ecstatic when I read this verse because it was right in line with what I was trying to accomplish; living a “quiet life.” But what Paul was referring to was living a life abiding in the Word of God. He was asking the Thessalonians to examine their daily habits, the way they conduct business, because the way we live and treat others is a reflection of our brotherly love.



Undisciplined living will usually result in pain to others and it disrupts the peace of the body of Christ. If we’re calling ourselves Christians, but living lives that are disruptive to others then that can cause us (believers) to fall into disrepute with outsiders.



It’s not that I needed a break from all people in general—I needed a break from the wrong people. This verse made me closer examine the disrupters in my life and I realized they were not living lives obedient to God’s Word. They had no regard for Scripture, therefore no respect for peaceful living. Their lives were centered around gossip and hate, causing drama and disrupt in the lives of others.



Paul was explaining that when our conduct is not biblical, it affects the lives of others in negative ways. Having “a quiet life” is to be something we, as Christians, strive for. When we strive to be at peace with ourselves and God, we’ll be a source of peace to our brethren. Such an act demonstrates a love for others.



People who cause disrupt for others are unbalanced in their lives. They need to “mind their own business” or attend to their own needs. This would involve getting their spiritual lives in order. When one’s priority is taking care of their own lives in a truly biblical way, they will grow spiritually and will be less likely to cause unwanted drama in others' lives.



Toby and I know someone who is so disruptive that every time they come around they affect us negatively. They try to stir up drama from over ten years ago. Things that we never think about and memories that have long been forgotten, are still fresh and alive in the mind and spirit of this person. They actually thrive on drama and causing havoc in others’ lives. They have absolutely no regard for Christian love with their brethren, and until they start respecting God’s commands and abiding in His Word, they will never live a life of peace and restfulness. They have no chance at receiving love because they don’t give love. Instead, their presence causes upheaval. What a horribly lonely life.



So what I want you to take away from this is that we are instructed to strive toward living in peace, living “quiet lives” focusing on treating ourselves, as well as others, in a way that is pleasing to God and in obedience to His Word. It is then that we will find the type of peaceful “quiet” living Paul talks about.



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Published on January 09, 2017 04:46
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