Dear Cornerstone Family,
We live in a world that celebrates the platform, the spotlight, the big achievement. Consequently, we often strive for a life that can be measured, posted, praised, and seen. Scripture, however, repeatedly calls us to something slower, deeper, steadier, and quieter. In a word, Scripture calls us to a life of ordinary faithfulness. What Eugene Peterson calls, “A long obedience in the same direction.”
Ordinary faithfulness isn’t big, loud, and flashy. It’s found in simple fidelities like keeping our word, loving our neighbor, raising our children, doing honest work, bearing burdens, praying in secret, worshipping weekly, forgiving repeatedly, repenting daily, and trusting Christ when no one else sees and when it doesn’t appear to make a difference. These quiet—even obscure—acts of faithfulness are not small in the kingdom of God. They are the means from which godliness takes shape in our lives.
Despite how it may appear, such a life is not passive or weak. It takes self-control to remain steadfast when the world’s telling you to chase something newer, louder, or more impressive. It takes grace and grit to be content with hidden obedience, unseen sacrifice, and slow growth. Yet it’s right there where Christ does his best work.
Over the course of the summer, we will consider the beauty, strength, and witness of a life rooted in Christ expressed through steady faithfulness. I’ve entitled the series, The Quiet Life of Faithfulness. My prayer is that God would use this series to increasingly free us from restless striving and to cultivate deepening contentment and renewed courage to live lives of ordinary faithfulness. Please join me in prayer toward this end.
The Quiet Life of Faithfulness
June 7 – Aspire to Live Quiet Lives, 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12
June 14 – Bear Your Load, Bear the Burdens of Others, Galatians 6:2-5
June 21 – Do Not be Troubled, John 14:25-31
June 28 – Embrace the Will of God, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
July 5 – Open Your Home and Your Heart, Romans 12:9-13
July 12 – Do Good No Matter What, Galatians 6:9-10
July 19 – Keep Raising Children, Deuteronomy 6:4-9
July 26 – Everyday Witness, Matthew 5:13-16
August 2 – Die Well, 2 Timothy 4:6-8
Your servant,
