Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12
Now concerning love of the brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anyone write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another; and indeed you do love all the brothers and sisters throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, beloved, to do so more and more, to aspire to live quietly, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we directed you, so that you may behave properly toward outsiders and be dependent on no one.
Thought for the Day: Our friends at Sojourners posted this quote a few days ago, and it really spoke to me. Mother Teresa wrote:
God is the friend of silence. We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. See how nature — tree, flower, grass — grows in silence; see the stars, the moon, and the sun, how they move in silence.
In Paul’s declaration that the Thessalonians should up their game in regard to loving, including behaving properly toward outsiders, he suggested they live quietly. This is not to be interpreted as a call to go and live as hermits in the desert, but to live peacefully and by being intentional in regard to meditation and silence. It is one thing to live with love toward those around you, but Paul is encouraging his readers to stretch themselves…and to stretch requires us to find God in times of quiet reflection and peacefulness.
Prayer: For the sake of the good work to which you call me, God, provide me time to be quiet and know you. Without a connection to you, how can I know this calling? Amen.
SEE YOU SUNDAY
