How to live
…that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you (1Thess.4.11).
This is Paul admonishing the Brethren to lead a quiet life. It may be contrary to the modern life that screams “here am I, see me” with the help of social media but leading a quiet life is worth aspiring to have. It gives peace of mind and can be impactful as well. What some people don’t realize is that, maintaining quietness requires more energy than making noise. It takes a lot more to be silent or quiet as the case may be. Anybody can make noise.
Also, he counseled that you mind your own business. This is to separate you from the busy body folks that would poke nose in everybody’s affairs while leaving theirs behind. The Christian race requires focus because it is a marathon not a sprint. “And to work with your own hands” is a way of Paul saying, don’t be a lazy folk. The reality of the situation we are today requires emphasising the need for people to be productive. Many people have excuses for their conditions but never see the possibilities that abound all around them.
The hand of the diligent will rule, But the lazy man will be put to forced labor (Prov.12.24).
The popular saying that an idle mind is the devil’s workshop is very true. Give your mind something positive and productive to do. Never give room for your mind to be idle. Then teach your hands to work. It is important to have something doing. There is dignity in labour. It takes a diligent hand to rule while the lazy will be forced to work either by hunger or slavery. The believer is empowered with a sound mind, enabled by grace and blessed to succeed but s/he has to work. God instituted work therefore it is good to work. Amen.