Subnostr

This is really interesting.

I often find myself drawn to this scripture when thinking about deeper values and goals. I want to obey Christ and to advance His Kingdom and I do that in the capacity of the spheres where I am directly responsible - like most people, self/marriage/family/work/community.

Modern churches are far too industrious but for their own brand, in a fiat way nicely highlighted in Thank God For Bitcoin.

So I end up coming back to this 'lead a quiet life'. What does it mean when contrasted with the command to 'take up the cross and follow', in that Jesus didn't seem to be calling the disciples to a quiet life in the way we envisage it, and yet Paul's description here lands somewhere between Walden and Walnut Grove. And yes, it stirs a longing, even in this already quite idyllic part of British suburbia adjacent to a thriving countryside, where I sit connected to the industrious world through a virtual interface.

I'm listening to a lot of Cal Newport's work at the moment but he only really hints at the spiritual side.

There's something here, and I'm scratching at it, but can't quite put it together.

Bass 1y ago

I can see this is a major pain point for you, and I wish I had a simple answer that would solve all those competing anxieties, but unfortunately I'm not that articulate and I suspect my worldview is different than yours while we agree on the banner of "Christian".

I will say one thing, and I hope its encouraging. Much of my anxiety when I was protestant came from feeling guilty that I had been lazy for years in my study of His word, and I had guilt and self hatred for not being the man today that I could have been had I given it 150%. It took me a long time to realize that I couldn't edit my past and feeling guilt over that was not fruitful for effectiveness today. Rather, my pastor, encouraged me to take this very moment captive and choose to do what's best this very second. I can't read the entirety of Gods word in 5 minutes, I can't spiritually discern the doctrines of God intellectually and effectively immediately without meditation, and I can't do all this while witnessing to my neighbors of the grace Jesus provides to them knowing that they might die tomorrow without Him. There are seasons for all things. This might be a season of toiling in the world for Jesus for you where you can't live the quoet life you desire, however that might be the next season whoch God will use effectively to build you in prayer. Bless you brother.

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Discussion

berean jones 1y ago

Thanks brother. I will reflect on your words. Seasons in which we focus on one attribute of God or one aspect of his calling on our lives, rather than trying to do it all every day, that resonates. You rightly guessed I'm floating in the protestant tide. While rejecting catholicism I am often intrigued by orthodoxy.