“Live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” 1 Timothy 2:2
Why is this such good advice? Is it because we need the reminder to slow down and enjoy the simple things life has to offer? Is it a warning against the vain pursuits that seem to fuel our energies and ambitions in so many busy, wayward, and meaningless directions? Why are we called to live peaceful and quiet lives? As so often occurs in scripture, the answer is provided in the following verses:
“This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” (V 3-4)
Peaceful and quiet lives please God and lead us to his truth. But it’s not all about you and me. Your life is a testimony whether you want it to be or not. The question is, what is the object of your testimony? A peaceful and quiet life speaks of a confident trust in a mighty God who holds all life in his hands. A quiet life testifies to a truth we all need that counters our boisterous activities and prideful ambitions. A quiet life is guided by a truth that reveals we still come up short in our own efforts to live well.
That’s the bad news: we fall short. The good news is that God provides a mediator – Jesus, who stands in that gap for us.
We can live peaceful and quiet lives knowing that same mediator who brings us to a harmonious relationship with God also brings us into harmony with others around us. Our quiet life testimony is a vital part of that plan of mediation to help bring others closer to God.
For what other reason did God leave us on earth after we were saved?!
We’re called to live a life of quiet worship that brings us close to God and in harmony with each other. Our worship is not restricted to what happens in a church building. Our life worship is an extension of who we are and how we interact with others around us each day, especially in situations where conflict abounds. Conflict – that great tester of our faith. When we live peaceful and quiet lives we neither ignore conflict nor eagerly promote it. But where there is conflict, we’re called to be part of God’s remediation plan.
God provides an orderly plan to dealing with conflict. Anger and bitter disputes are not part of that plan. Insistence of “my way or the highway” is not part of that plan. Shutting others out in apathy to their concerns is not part of his plan.
God’s orderly plan for peaceful conflict resolution is centered on what is true. In most all conflict there is some point of common ground, some zone of commonly held truth. If it is only that we insist on respecting each other in the midst of conflict, that is a start. That allows us to attack problems, not each other. If it’s acknowledging the common desire to pursue peace, that is a beginning. That helps us focus on solutions instead of barriers.
What conflict is present in your life? How does realizing you are part of God’s great plan of mediation help you address conflict in a healthy way that is consistent with living the peaceful and quiet life of godliness to which he calls you?
Part of living well is learning to live a peaceful and quiet life in a noisy world of conflict. Realizing you are an integral part of his plan of mediation is a vital first step. Let his truth and peace guide you in the process today.