Rejecting Popularity to Live a Simple and Quiet Life.
Living a peaceful and quiet life. Two Jack Lake, Alberta.
I recently came across Vlad Savchuk’s video about the 14 Principles he’s learned to live by. His second point was, “Quick growth builds the ego, but a slow process builds Character.”
Rejecting popularity to choose a simple and quiet life is the last thing many might consider. Not only does it look weak in today’s culture, it is looks unhappy, depressing and unmanly.
Men are struggling with confidence these days like never before. Could it result from chasing clout, cheap pleasure, feeble lifestyles and deceptive practices that can’t amount to long-lasting success?
I’m curious to know where you get the inspiration to draw the blueprint of your life.
I draw my inspiration from the Bible, which gives me unshakable confidence to say that I don’t need any validation from the outside about who I am. Seeking validation from people is like trying to catch smoke with your bare hands. You can’t.
I invite you to say this after me;
If God says I am more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37), I don’t need anyone to validate that.
If God says I am bought with a price, and I am precious (1 Corinthians 6:20), I don’t need anyone to validate that.
God doesn’t take permission from anyone to be my Saviour, Father, and Friend.
Living a simple and quiet life requires you to onboard specific attitudes. This is why we have the beatitude. They are attitudes that cause us to be.
I love the amplified version because it expands and drives us into the in-depth nature of each verse.
Matthew 5: 1-11 AMP
5 When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and when He was seated, His [a]disciples came to Him. 2 Then He began to teach them, saying,
3 “Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired] are the poor in spirit [those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].
4 “Blessed [forgiven, refreshed by God’s grace] are those who mourn [over their sins and repent], for they will be comforted [when the burden of sin is lifted].
5 “Blessed [inwardly peaceful, spiritually secure, worthy of respect] are the [b]gentle [the kind-hearted, the sweet-spirited, the self-controlled], for they will inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed [joyful, nourished by God’s goodness] are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness [those who actively seek right standing with God], for they will be [completely] satisfied.
7 “Blessed [content, sheltered by God’s promises] are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
8 “Blessed [anticipating God’s presence, spiritually mature] are the pure in heart [those with integrity, moral courage, and godly character], for they will see God.
9 “Blessed [spiritually calm with life-joy in God’s favor] are the makers and maintainers of peace, for they will [express His character and] be called the sons of God.
10 “Blessed [comforted by inner peace and God’s love] are those who are persecuted for [c]doing that which is morally right, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].
11 “Blessed [morally courageous and spiritually alive with life-joy in God’s goodness] are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil things against you because of [your association with] Me. 12 Be glad and exceedingly joyful, for your reward in heaven is great [absolutely inexhaustible]; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Alex Wilson video describes what it looks like to live a simple and quiet life.
As a man who is passionate about leading other men, let’s unpack some exciting things that stood out in this verse.
Don’t inflate your pride
Although society may encourage us to be proud, humility is emphasized and rewarded according to God's word. Pride is a common human trait, but it often leads us to prioritize things that boost our ego rather than those that build our character.
Humble yourself - 1 Peter 5:5-7
5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Let God promote you
We can only try so much to promote ourselves or push ourselves to glory. Our strength is very feeble and non-existent compared to when we let God enable us.
There are spaces we don’t need to be in, places he hasn’t called us yet to be. Sometimes it could be that we haven’t developed the character to excel in those places.
As a man, there is a high chance you’d be in a place of authority. There is a high chance you’d flop if you refused to let God build your character through persecution, perseverance.
James 1: 2
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that testing your faith produces perseverance.
In Conclusion
Living a simple and quiet life isn’t comfortable. You choose to opt into perseverance and discomfort for the greater good.
You have to let go of many things holding you back, polluting your mind, clouding your judgement and hindering you from becoming the man God has designed you to be.
You lose what doesn’t matter.
