Good people living a good life

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “God’s power in you and for you”

Our Bible verse for today: “But we encourage you, brothers and sisters, to do this even more, to seek to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, so that you may behave properly in the presence of outsiders and not be dependent on anyone.” 1 Thessalonians 4:10-12 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “Good people living a good life”

If you spend much time listening to news reports and social media, then it probably seems like the world is on fire and that it might just explode at any moment. There are wars and rumors of wars; school shootings and political assassinations; violent mobs on the streets and on college campuses. There are angry rants on social media; high inflation and higher interest rates; and our nation is more divided now than at any point in recent history. There seems to be no relief in sight.

However, I recently came across a thought from writer Will Durant in his book “The Story of Civilization” that seems to present a more accurate perspective of what’s really going on in the lives of ordinary people: “Civilization is a stream with banks. The stream is sometimes filled with blood from people killing, stealing, shouting, and doing things historians usually record – while, on the banks, unnoticed, people build homes, make love, raise children, sing songs, write poetry, whittle statues. The story of civilization is the story of what happens on the banks.”

Yes, bad things do happen. There is a lot of chaos in the world. But the truth is, like Durant observed, most of us are just living life – and getting along quite well, thank you very much. For most of us, our days are filled with family and school and jobs and recreation and just living. We sleep, eat, work, play, make love, go to church, and just live life. And… life goes on.

This is what Paul was writing about in 1 Thessalonians 4:10-12 and it is what God calls us to do – live simple lives of faith and respectability. While some people are overly-obsessed with the 24/7 news cycle, and they waste lots of time being fanatical Facebook warriors, expending enormous amounts of emotional energy fighting endless verbal battles that change no minds and ultimately make no difference, most of us are focused on just living life. There is stability and consistency, peace and contentment, that comes from settling down, settling in, and just living a good life.

Most of life consists of the small stuff – the simple things of everyday life. I encourage you to focus less on all the noise and drama found in the news and on social media, and focus more on the everyday business of simply living a good life. The power of God, long-term, is found in the quiet and even subtle way that God’s people live good lives.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00 – in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

Share this:

Related

Leave a comment Cancel reply