MAINTAINING PEACE IN A CHAOTIC SOCIETY
Most people in our society today appear to be captives of overloaded schedules, constantly hurrying and striving to catch up. The biblical ideal of living a quiet and peaceable life is often neglected when such a frenzied pace of life is maintained.
The modern conveniences and higher standard of living we enjoy have resulted in more leisure time. Why then are we as believers so often pressed for time and so easily caught up in the same relentless pace as the society around us? Is it because our non-working hours are often filled with activities which offer little respite from the pressures of life?
The Word teaches the believer in Christ to pray for those in authority so he may “lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (I Tim. 2:2). Another reassuring promise is given in the Old Testament: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee” (Isa. 26:3).
How can the believer maintain a quiet and peaceable life and keep his heart fixed on spiritual things? The Apostle Paul exhorted: “Study to be quiet, and to do your own business and to work with your own hands” (I Thes. 4:11).
In planning our schedules we should evaluate the importance of each activity we consider undertaking in terms of spiritual enrichment and with regard to the amount of time it will consume. Is it wholesome for our family? Does it foster keeping our minds stayed on God, or does it draw us away toward worldliness? Is it competitive? Will the activity, and its frequency result in a greater feeling of peace, or will it undermine peace by virtue of its nature or simply by robbing too much time from an already crowded and demanding schedule? Will it strengthen or weaken our faith?
If we as God’s children are carelessly wasting our time in unnecessary pursuits, then we will find ourselves often frustrated and weary, drifting far from the state of mind needed to be effective servants for the Lord. Such a life is unrewarding and results in spiritual loss. Light From The Word