I Thessalonians 4:11
“and to aspire to live quietly, to attend to your own matters, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you.”
This passage is surprising, yet comforting. As I read the New Testament, it seems intense. The writers and those in the stories that are believers are living as if life’s a sprint. In 2 Timothy 4:7 Paul describes it as a fight, an olympic event in which he is getting a reward. There are some passages where Jesus’ description sounds radical. In Mark 10, He tells the wealthy individual to give everything away, to leave his home and follow them. This was too much for the seeker. He wanted to follow the movement, but at a different pace. In his case, it wasn’t enough.
Today’s verse seems like a normal life. The intensity level feels much different. Why is that? I think there are several reasons. The New Testament authors and highlighted figures were special people chosen by the Lord to lead this movement. That would be an intense person. Paul was a single person who didn’t want a family for he felt it would divert his attention from his ministry. His was a great call that benefited all christians back then and now. In I Corinthians 7:7, Paul wishes that “all could be as I am”. Meaning he wished that all christians were single and could dedicate all their time to the ministry. He then concedes that isn’t going to happen, as not all have the gift of celibacy. That level of intensity comes through in his writings.
Another reason for the difference in intensity levels is that God understands our tendency toward being sedentary and complacent. Therefore He is known to frequently stir things up and keep us growing. Zephaniah 1:12 refers to those that are “settled on their lees” or “stagnant in spirit”. That’s why the Lord moved Paul and others to raise the standard.
Lord, thank You that You understand us. You know we have a tendency towards complacency. Thank You for keeping our faith active and alive.