EXPERIENCING the POWER of “ONE ACCORD”
“…they lifted up their voice to God with one accord…And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.” Acts 4:24, 31-33 (KJV)
“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you.” 1 Thessalonians 4:11 (NIV)
As we welcome the New Year 2016, we find ourselves filled with ambitions and dreams for the year ahead. At this time each year, countless individuals set goals for themselves in hopes of improving and bettering their lives. Common resolutions include eating healthy, exercising more, getting out of debt, or taking up a new hobby. If you’re like most, your ambition for these resolutions greatly exceeds what you’re actually able to accomplish! We set a dozen or so highly ambitious goals and faithfully pursue them for a few weeks, but by the time March rolls around we can barely remember what those goals even were.
As we look to the Scripture today, we’re confronted with a rather unusual resolution. We’re told to be ambitious, yet our ambition is to pursue a peaceful and quiet life. What a paradox! On the one hand, we’re told to have great ambition, to strive and seek after the goal set before us. Yet unlike virtually all other resolutions, our ambition is directed towards a calm and gentle spirit that finds peace in the simple and the ordinary.
“I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.” Psalm 131:2 (NKJV)
At the root of our ambition we often find discontent. We are unhappy with our lives, our health, or our jobs, so we seek new ways to expand our identities or enhance our lifestyle. Yet so often this striving fails to deliver what it promises, and instead of finding contentment and peace, we find ourselves stuck in a vicious cycle of unrest and anxiety.
This year, I challenge you to make one very simple yet profoundly radical resolution: be content to live a quiet life. Look for ways to find peace and joy in who God has made you to be. Encounter His blessings in small and simple ways, finding satisfaction in His presence and in time spent with those you love. Free yourself from the pressure to perform, to land your dream job, or to have a perfect body. Instead, take time this year to ambitiously pursue the peace and contentment that comes from leading a quiet and simple life with God and others.
Words from the Master during your time of reflection this week: “Come to Me with a teachable spirit, eager to be changed. A close walk with Me is a life of continual newness. Do not cling to old ways as you step into a new year. Instead, seek My Face with an open mind, knowing that your journey with Me involves being transformed by the renewing of your mind. As you focus your thoughts on Me, be aware that I am fully attentive to you. I know and understand you completely; My thoughts embrace you in everlasting Love. I also know the plans I have for you: plans to proper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Give yourself fully to this joyful adventure of increasing attentiveness to My Presence.” (Psalm 27:8; Romans 12:2; Jeremiah 29:11)
“And then God answered: “Write this. Write what you see. Write it out in big block letters so that it can be read on the run. This vision-message is a witness pointing to what’s coming. It aches for the coming—it can hardly wait! And it doesn’t lie. If it seems slow in coming, wait. It’s on its way. It will come right on time.” Habakkuk 2:2-3 (MSG)
Yours in Christ, Pastor King