How would you summarize what you want most in life? Is it to get ahead, to succeed at work, to build a nest egg and retire? Do you want to send your kids to the best schools and give them the best experiences in life? Are you working hard to make ends meet only to be frustrated at the steadily increasing cost of living?

Are you fed up? Does it seem like the country is falling apart? Do you roll your eyes and shake your head each time our political leaders say or do another stupid thing? The government is bad today, but it is not as bad as the Roman empire in the first century. The Roman emperor Nero used Christians as lamp posts, literally burning them at night to light the streets. He murdered his mother to gain power and probably murdered his wife to marry another. 

Yet it was during Nero’s reign that Paul wrote these words in 1 Timothy 2:1-2, “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone– for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” (NIV 1984)

Not only does this passage challenge us to pray for the people governing us, but it also indicates what we should want in life. As followers of Jesus, we must live peacefully, quietly, focused on holiness and godliness.

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Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.