Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life (1 Thessalonians 4:11)
Social media overwhelms me. It’s a loud, loud place. And unless you have good boundaries, one minute of scrolling can somehow turn into an hour.
It seems like everyone has something to say.
Everyone wants to be noticed and heard. They want to know their voices matter.
I love chapter 3 of You’re Made for a God-sized Dream because it reminds me I don’t have to shout, wave about, and do cartwheels to be known. I am.
The One who stops me from striving, who gives me permission to slow down, who tells me my worth is already won forever. Yes, this is the ambition I want to live with, to live for. A quiet life…especially on the inside. (pg. 61)
I’m known for taking short fasts from social media when I feel like the voice of the world is louder than God’s.
I also do it to bring some peace into my life and refocus on exactly what God has called me to. I can get caught in the comparison game fairly quickly. When I feel the murkiness of discontent rising, I know it’s time to put social media in a timeout. By the time I realize the need for a fast I’m usually soul-tired, weary, and ready to quit…because most days I don’t have the time or energy to figure out what I’m having for breakfast much less how I’m going to achieve my dream.
Once Instagram and Facebook are in their corners, my world gets small, my quiet time has more meaning, and my focus and excitement returns. It’s a truly amazing thing!
And then I remember why God doesn’t require us to strive. Let’s just say if striving were an Olympic sport, I’d be a gold medalist. Seriously? Like it’s up to me to get it all done and accomplish it all in my strength. When’s the last time I parted a sea? Or rose someone from the dead?
God doesn’t need my help!
It’s true.
Faithful, quiet, and small are not words the world we live in knows too well. But they are exactly why we can rest easy…and exactly what we can be when we know we are His. Our influence and reach may at times extend quite far. We may find ourselves with a microphone on a stage and that’s fine, but it’ll be God who puts us there.
I know it’s silly, but I find rest in not having to be the biggest and best. I find freedom in being able to just be me and know that it’s ok and good enough.
The quiet life is not the life the world values and appreciates, but it’s certainly a different kind of ambition…and one I live for.
The recurring crisis of the gifted leader will be whether or not he/she can resist the seduction of ambition. If we think we’ve conquered it, we’ve more likely renamed it goal setting. There’s still time to be a fool. Go deeper, not bigger. Only hardy roots can handle height. (Beth Moore)
I want to challenge you to go deeper, not bigger. What are some ways God may be asking you to trust Him with your ambitions?
Shared by: Alecia Simersky
Photo by Rodolfo Sanches Carvalho on Unsplash
avwalters55 says
February 5, 2018 at 6:21 amDear Alecia, I needed your message today. TV on as I get ready this a.m. is solely to see if we have a snow day, but now it has become intrusive. I’ve learned the best way for me to start my day, to prepare my heart for quiet time is simply to be quiet, no tv, no radio, just quiet. Thank you for the affirmation that God uses the quiet to speak to our spirits.
Alecia Simersky says
February 5, 2018 at 5:25 pmOh, friend. The quiet is where I always meet Him. Sometimes it takes an act of Congress to get my mind there, but it’s always so good when I do.
Michele Morin says
February 5, 2018 at 6:46 amThose words from Paul–I remember writing them on a 3×5 card and attaching them to my fridge when I quit my job to stay home with our first son. There were days when I felt as if I had disappeared off the planet, but now I would not trade that decision for any amount of notoriety. I’m thankful for the freedom to live a quiet life, to work with my hands–and for grace to “mind my own business.”
Alecia Simersky says
February 5, 2018 at 5:27 pmI agree. I wouldn’t trade a moment at home with my kids for notoriety. I don’t tend to multitask well, I like to focus on one thing at a time, so working a job outside of the home in addition to raising kids wouldn’t have suited me. Others make it look so easy!
Joanne Viola (@JViola79) says
February 5, 2018 at 7:30 amWonderful post, Alecia! As we are faithful in the “small”, sometimes we truly discover they were “big” after all. May we be faithful to obey God in whatever He leads. Like you, I am finding peace in just being me. xo
Alecia Simersky says
February 5, 2018 at 5:28 pmIsn’t that a fun surprise?! Sometimes we put our heads down and focus on what’s in front of us and God does open doors to something BIG.
Becky Hastings says
February 5, 2018 at 7:49 amSuch a timely post, and one I can relate to! It’s so easy to start chasing what everyone says we should. The truth is that we already have all we need, and if something arises that we don’t have the tools for God provides them.
The social media battle is one that I struggle with often. I enjoy it. It gives me a sense of connection and entertainment. I don’t read the newspaper or watch the news, I scroll Facebook. That’s the news that is more interesting to me. But it comes at a cost. And setting up boundaries is something I struggle with.
All this to say….I hear you, I get it, and I’m with you. No answers per say, but just solidarity in the fight.
Alecia Simersky says
February 5, 2018 at 5:30 pmI hear ya! I don’t watch the news either… I get it from Facebook! Glad to walk this fight in solidarity with you!
Dawn says
February 5, 2018 at 8:14 amAlicia,
We are kindreds. I was just praying about this and having one of those ‘get real’ moments in my quiet time with Jesus. I often feel like I am not meant to be in the blogging/writing/encouraging world because I can’t keep up with it all, but that is not what we are called to do.
I love this post so much.
Thank you!💓
Dawn
Alecia Simersky says
February 5, 2018 at 5:33 pmIt’s so easy to feel like that. I have felt it too numerous times too. It’s always changing, someone always has the “latest”must do list to make sure your blog is all it can be. It’s overwhelming! I just want to write without worrying about numbers, but for the sheer joy of it.
Jenn says
February 5, 2018 at 8:55 amSuch a timely post! Go deeper, not bigger!! Thank you!!
Alecia Simersky says
February 5, 2018 at 5:34 pmThanks, Jenn!
Mary Geisen says
February 5, 2018 at 7:42 pmSuch perfect words for me today. For the last six months I have been on a journey of rediscovering my identity. Knowing who I am as a child of God rather than what the world likes to say about us. Getting quiet has been a big part of this process because in order for me to hear from God, I need to make space for listening intently.
I also have been studying Romans this year with Bible Study Fellowship. We are finishing up Ch. 9 Amy going through Ch. 10. And yes, God asks us to be faithful. It is not our works but grace by faith where we receive His righteousness. Thank you for such encouraging words.
Hopeful50 says
February 7, 2018 at 9:04 amFaithful to what He’s called us to. Obedience is always better than sacrifice. Amen? Wonderful, encouraging post.
Linda Stoll says
February 8, 2018 at 9:21 amHey Alecia … always good to see you out and about again. Thanks for the reminder to say ‘no, thanks’ to all the demands and noise and expectations that clamor loud.