The Simple and Quiet Life: Following Jesus in a World Obsessed with Fame

The Simple and Quiet Life: Following Jesus’ Path Away from Pride and Popularity

In today’s fast-paced world, where social media dominates our culture, the allure of fame and recognition is often hard to resist. With platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube constantly driving us toward more followers, likes, and visibility, the subtle art of living a simple and quiet life seems increasingly out of reach. But what if we reevaluated everything from a different perspective—Jesus’ perspective?

When I reflect on my own personal journey, growing in my faith has not come from attention or applause but from the quiet, humble moments where I’ve intentionally chosen to move away from the temptation of recognition. It’s a transformation that takes humility and a recalibration of priorities, something that’s not just timely but urgent in today’s world.

Choosing Simplicity: Jesus as Our Model

In the Gospel of Matthew, we find a striking example of how Jesus lived—the leper’s encounter with Him in Matthew 8:1-4. After healing a man suffering from leprosy, a disease that had socially and physically isolated him, Jesus gives an unexpected command: He tells the healed man to go quietly to the priest, without telling anyone about the miracle He performed.

For many of us, this might seem odd. Why would Jesus, who had just performed an unimaginable act of love, tell the man not to spread the word?

Jesus was rejecting the fame and recognition that would come with the performance of this miracle, choosing instead the path of simplicity and humility. He refused to chase after the approving eyes of those around Him, showing us that true freedom—freedom from the clutches of pride and the need for affirmation—is found in a life lived for God, not for others’ applause.

Escaping the Trap of Pride

Like many Christians, I’ve struggled with the subtle ways pride sneaks into even the smallest activities of life. As someone deeply involved in running a consulting firm, professional success often comes hand in hand with public visibility. But what I’ve learned is that the more I sought out praise, the more I focused on external reputation, the more distant I felt from God’s peace.

This ties into themes from previous discussions on understanding omniscience and divine purpose. When we allow human pride to drive our actions, we often lose sight of God’s broader plan, replacing His wisdom with our small ambitions. The world encourages us to reach for the highest platform, but Jesus shows us something radically different: the path to true joy is through deep humility.

In Philippians 2:8, Paul writes, “He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” This is the ultimate example of humility, and it’s a challenge for us today: Can we follow in His footsteps and humble ourselves, even if it means giving up the worldly accolades we crave?

Finding Joy in Simple Acts

One of the most transformative experiences in my life has been learning to find joy in the simple tasks—things like folding laundry or washing dishes—acts often overlooked as insignificant. However, I’ve found that when I’m able to do these things without seeking approval or acknowledgment, peace fills my heart. This resonates so strongly with Jesus’ command to live humbly and quietly.

At first glance, household chores or the mundane tasks in life might appear to have little spiritual significance. But, as discussed in previous articles, such as exploring the integration of science and faith in understanding the mind, these moments are opportunities for mindfulness and spiritual discipline. They allow us to practice what Psalm 131:2 describes: “I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.”

Rejecting the idols of fame and focusing on the simple aspects of life brings about a transformation—a new way of looking at the world, one filled with contentment and trust in God’s timing and provision.

Trusting God’s Timing for Promotion

At its core, choosing the simple and quiet life means stripping away our desire for promotion and self-promotion. A passage that speaks directly to this is 1 Peter 5:6: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time.” The key here is trusting God’s timing.

In today’s culture, we’re taught that success comes from relentless self-promotion. We’re constantly encouraged to chase likes, followers, and clout. But in God’s Kingdom, the exact opposite is true. As I mentioned earlier, I had to intentionally delete my social media shorts and step back from the cycle of craving attention, because it was eating me alive from the inside out.

Only when we let go of the need to be seen and praised can we experience the depth and breadth of God’s peace. That’s when He lifts us up—not in the way the world expects, but in the way that most aligns with His purposes for us.

The Beauty of Choosing Simplicity in Our Spiritual Lives

In our previous article on free will and moral responsibility, we wrestled with how our choices can lead us closer or further away from God’s purpose. Similarly, Jesus’ rejection of popularity wasn’t about the miracle itself, but about demonstrating that an abundant and peaceful life doesn’t depend upon applause and recognition from the world—it hinges on our faithful obedience to God.

How often do we miss the simple joys in life because we’re too busy seeking approval through more visible accomplishments? Jesus demonstrates an alternative: simplicity, humility, and prioritization of what truly matters in the eyes of God.

Final Thoughts and Invitation

As I conclude, I want to challenge you to reflect on Jesus’ example: Are we willing to reject the desire for fame and recognition, much like He did? Can we humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand, trusting that in due time, He will lift us up?

The simple and quiet life is not about doing less or being invisible—it’s about finding peace in the unseen, joy in the uncelebrated, and contentment in following God’s will diligently, just as Jesus did.

Let’s walk this path together, where pride is set aside, humility reigns, and God is our sole promoter.

Focus Keyphrase: The simple and quiet life