11 to seek to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business,[a] and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, 12 so that you may behave properly in the presence of outsiders and not be dependent on anyone. (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 CSB)
I have sought to live a quiet life, but I think I have lived anything but.
We bring much difficulty into our lives by our striving for more, climbing corporate ladders, seeking the next best thing. However, there may be people we know who have truly lived quiet and unassuming lives. While their lives were not without ambition they were not nearly as stressed as we who continually striver for more.
This is not to say that ambition is bad, it is not. But living a life where there is nothing but striving tends to make for a very stressful life. There should be a balance, but I believe there is much to be said for the quiet life. For minding one’s own business and working diligently either with our hands or minds to the task set before us.
When we are diligent and not continually striving for more there is an honesty and respectability that comes to our lives. Others see that our efforts and our concerns for them come from a place of deep love and deep respect for others. We respect first, in deed and action, and respect from others follows.
Even when others are pushing against us, being a quiet and humble force will be more respected than a when we become clanging gongs. Yes, too often today it is the clanging gong that gets attention. This is due to the shallowness of the world and its lack of attention for anything that is not flashing before our eyes. But much is missed in life when we are only focused upon the clanging gongs.
