It’s been the thing for about as long as I can remember to have a “life verse”. Some verse of Scripture that is a something you can wrap your life around. A verse that helps you set priorities; a verse that helps you deal with all that life throws at us.
Honestly, I’ve never been too keen to try and reduce the depth and breadth of all God has for me in all the inspired Bible to a single sentence. But if I had to name a life verse, this is it:
11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, 12 so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 ESV
It’s even written in a “life verse” style as Paul says to make this our ambition. This is our goal. I don’t think he could be any clearer. Think about the question, “What is your goal or ambition in life?” It’s not an uncommon question we are asked. Think of the most common and the desired answers. Things like, “to leave my mark on this world” or “to make a difference in the world!”
I’m not saying those are necessarily bad. They can be bad if declared from a position of self-importance or pride. The Lord, according to His own will, does indeed select a few to make a huge mark on the world. Numerous biblical characters of course, but also those like Martin Luther as an example. But it’s a bit silly for all of us to think we’re all to make a mark on the world and our names will be recognized hundreds of years after we’re gone.
Instead, Paul instructs us to just be faithful where God has us. For the 99.99% of us, that means living a quiet life, working our jobs, providing for ourselves or our families, hopefully making enough to be able to share some extra with those in need. Faithfulness in everyday life. In fact, he says in verse 12 to do this so that we “be dependent on no one”. Work and provide for your needs, trusting in the Lord for your daily bread. If you’re faithful in these little, few, everyday things, he will make you ruler over many things (Matt 25:21).
So, to me 1 Thessalonians 4:11 is a true “life” verse. You and I are most likely not the exceptional one, the one that will shake the earth for Christ. Actually, that’s a huge relief. In fact, shaking the earth is His job. My job is simple – be faithful where He has me.
In fact, this is not the only time Paul lays this concept out. When he is instructing Timothy as a pastor, he says this:
1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior
1 Timothy 2:1-3 ESV
He is telling Timothy as a pastor and his flock to pray and intercede, especially for those in authority. But he doesn’t leave it there, in fact he is very specific as to WHY we are to pray for those in authority – “so that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” Make this your goal. Paul lays out this as good. It is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior.
One quick clarification. The one who wrote this was often jailed or beaten for standing for truth. Don’t take this to mean more than it does. It does not mean “peaceful and quiet” by ignoring God’s truth and thus being a friend of the world, making you enmity with God. That was not Paul, and it should not be us. But as much as it depends on you, standing for God and His truth, be at peace with everyone (Romans 12:18 by the same author). We want to live our lives in truth quietly. We aren’t troublemakers, but we will stand for truth. We will be Daniels if it comes to it, but we don’t stir up trouble on our own. Our desire is to leave peaceably and quiet lives for The Lord.
Peaceful and quiet life. Is that your ambition?