The Beauty of a Quiet Life: Finding God in Simplicity

Are you weary from striving—spiritually, emotionally, and physically? Do you feel like your faith isn’t ‘big enough’ because it doesn’t look like the grand, sweeping stories you often hear in certain church cultures? 

Let me assure you, dear sister, you are not alone. 

Living a simple, Godly life is not less valuable or pleasing to God. In fact, it is deeply significant and aligns beautifully with the heart of the Gospel. God isn’t asking you to prove your worth or make your faith dramatic; He simply calls you to rest in His love, live quietly, and trust Him in the ordinary moments of life.

The beauty of the Gospel lies in its simplicity and accessibility, offering a relationship with God based on grace, love, and truth without the need for dramatic or grandiose expressions of faith.

Here are some key points to elaborate on why this simplicity is often overshadowed and why it should be cherished:

The Beauty of the Gospel is Its Simplicity

The core message of the Gospel is simple: God's love for humanity is so great that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins and offer us eternal life (John 3:16). This message is accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances. The simplicity of the Gospel emphasises faith, grace, and love, without the need for added complexities or dramatic expressions.

"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." — Micah 6:8

This verse highlights the simplicity of what God requires: justice, mercy, and humility.

Jesus Modelled a Simple, Humble Life

Jesus Himself lived a simple and humble life. He focused on loving and serving others, teaching in parables that were relatable to everyday life, and emphasising the importance of humility, compassion, and genuine relationship with God. His ministry was often marked by personal interactions and small, meaningful acts rather than grand displays.

"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, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody." — 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

Paul encourages believers to live quietly and work diligently, reflecting a simple and respectable life. This passage encourages believers to maintain a lifestyle that earns the respect of others and promotes self-sufficiency. It highlights the beauty and value of simplicity in our daily walk with God.

FYI: Here is 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 in The Message translation:

"Stay calm; mind your own business; do your own job. You’ve heard all this from us before, but a reminder never hurts. We want you living in a way that will command the respect of outsiders, not lying around sponging off your friends."

The Quiet Power of Everyday Faithfulness

A simple, Godly life is inclusive and accessible to everyone. Not everyone is called to be a prophet or to have dramatic spiritual experiences, but everyone can live a life of love, service, and faithfulness. This inclusivity reflects the heart of the Gospel, which is meant for all people, regardless of their abilities or status.

"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that." - 1 Timothy 6:6-8

This passage underscores the value of godliness combined with contentment, highlighting the importance of being satisfied with basic needs.

Avoiding Burnout: God Doesn’t Demand Grand Performances

In some evangelical and charismatic cultures, there can be an overemphasis on dramatic spiritual experiences, prophetic revelations, and grand narratives. While these can be genuine and valuable, they can also create an environment where simple, faithful living is undervalued. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy or spiritual inferiority among believers who may not have such experiences.

"Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil." - Proverbs 15:16

Here we see that having a simple life with reverence for God is better than having wealth accompanied by stress and trouble.

Trusting God with Your Daily Bread

The Bible is filled with examples of people whose simple acts of faithfulness had profound impacts. Ruth’s loyalty, Esther’s courage, and the quiet devotion of many early Christians show that God values everyday faithfulness. These stories remind us that living a Godly life in the ordinary moments is deeply significant and pleasing to God.

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength." - Philippians 4:11-13

Paul's words here illustrate the peace and contentment that come from trusting in Christ, regardless of one's circumstances.

Why Simplicity Frees Us

Living simply in faith demonstrates trust in God’s provision and timing. It’s a way of saying that we don’t need to manufacture grand experiences to feel close to God or to prove our faith. Instead, we trust that God is with us in the mundane, everyday moments of our lives.

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?... But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." - Matthew 6:25-34

Jesus teaches about the importance of trusting God for our needs and focusing on His kingdom, which leads to a simpler, worry-free life.

Avoiding the Pitfall of Spiritual Pride

Grandiose expressions of faith can sometimes lead to spiritual pride, where individuals or communities may begin to see themselves as more spiritual or closer to God than others. Embracing the simplicity of the Gospel helps maintain humility and reminds us that all believers are equal before God.

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'" - Hebrews 13:5

Cultivate contentment and reliance on God's presence and provision.

In a world that glorifies the dramatic and busy, simplicity can feel insignificant. But the Kingdom of God often works quietly—like a mustard seed growing into a tree (Matthew 13:31-32) or yeast working through dough (Matthew 13:33). Don’t underestimate the power of your quiet prayers, small acts of kindness, or faithful trust. God sees, values, and uses these moments more than you can imagine.

Scriptural Emphasis on Simplicity and Contentment

Scripture often encourages contentment and simplicity. Paul writes about learning to be content in all circumstances (Philippians 4:11-13), and Jesus teaches about the importance of seeking God’s kingdom first and trusting God for our needs (Matthew 6:33-34). These teachings underscore the value of a simple, focused life.

Think of Mary in Luke 10, sitting at Jesus’ feet while Martha bustled about. Jesus gently reminded Martha that Mary had chosen the better thing—a quiet moment of trust and connection with Him. It wasn’t about doing more or achieving spiritual greatness; it was about being with Jesus in the simplicity of that moment.

The psalmist highlights that righteousness and a simple life are more valuable than great wealth gained through unrighteous means.

The Simplicity of the Gospel is Liberating

The simplicity of the Gospel frees us from the pressure to perform or to achieve spiritual greatness. It invites us into a relationship with God that is based on His grace and love, allowing us to rest in His presence and to live out our faith in everyday actions of love and service.

By cherishing the simplicity of the Gospel, we can experience the fullness of God’s love and grace in our daily lives, recognising that a simple, Godly life is deeply valuable and pleasing to God. This perspective helps us stay grounded in our faith and focused on what truly matters: loving God and loving others.

"Two things I ask of you, Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonour the name of my God." - Proverbs 30:7-9

This prayer for balance and contentment reflects the wisdom of seeking a simple, Godly life.

These scriptures collectively highlight the value of living a simple, content, and Godly life, focusing on what truly matters in our relationship with God and others.

Take a deep breath and let go of the pressure to ‘perform.’

God doesn’t need your grand displays—He desires your heart. This week, slow down and ask: How can I simplify my life and lean into God’s love?

Whether it’s a quiet moment in prayer, an act of kindness, or time spent with loved ones, trust that God delights in your faithfulness. His grace is sufficient, and His peace is yours to receive.