To Live a Peaceful Life

When I was in my younger, mid-twenties, I took a miniature embroidery hoop and stretched needlepoint cloth into it. On a paper, I plotted out a simple phrase, and a cross, that loosely came from the book of I Timothy.

I say loosely because I expressed, essentially, “Ahhh, to live a peaceful life…” changing the tense of the verb, implying personal aspiration.

In those days, I had the patience to do counted cross-stitch. These days, that kind of handiwork would likely be very last on my list of things that interest me. But, the idea of working with one’s hands (a theme that permeates scripture throughout Old and New Testament in various ways) still highly appeals to me.

Working with one’s hands, and the works of one’s hands and life (in the spiritual sense), should always be a deeply motivating force.

Today, this little item is among many of my life’s trail markers and hangs on a little nail in my bathroom.

This morning, I imagined how I would write or describe what I might have generally meant, all those years ago, and contrast them with the realities of the world today, and my world, especially.

I think to myself, “What does it still mean to me to long to live a peaceful life? What does that look like, given all things?”

And I ask readers to ponder along with me, “What does it look like to live a peaceful and quiet life, in all godliness and holiness, in 2023?“

I would be interested in answers, because I find the subject difficult and elusive.

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(I Timothy 2-NIV)
Instructions on Worship

 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—  for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good, and pleases God our Savior,  who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.  For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus,  who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.  And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles.

 Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.  I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes,  but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.