June 2026: Tend Your Own Business
It’s already June! I pray for a blessed and safe summer to all in our community.
In our newsletter over the past few months, we have looked at the book The Quiet Ambition by Rev. Dr. Ryan Tinetti. In April I shared a bit about the overall concept of the book. In May I shared one of the first elements of the quiet ambition according to 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, “Live quietly.” You can refresh both of those on our website’s “Newsletter Articles” if you so desire. This month we will look at the next element, “Tend your own business.”
“Tending your own business,” in Tinetti’s view, is the way that we remember what is for us to do, and what is not for us to do. He humorously brings up a line from his youth, “mind your own beeswax,” but explains it is a bit more than this old phrase conveys. He speaks specifically about terror and complaints of the Israelites coming to the Red Sea with Pharaoh giving chase. Moses says all they need to do is to be silent, for God will fight for them. This isn’t the last time the Israelites need the reminder. We too need this reminder to not drag God down to our level and micromanaging his work (also called blasphemy!). We need to let God be God and remember where he has placed us.
The first suggestion Tinetti makes is to Sabbath. That means a whole lot more than weekly worship (a great excuse to refresh on the third commandment and its explanation in the Small Catechism!), but of course it doesn’t mean any less than that as well. Jesus gives us his gifts in our weekly worship, and we receive them as his people. He suggests other ideas for rest on Sunday, like a “slow cooker” day to relieve the stress of making a meal. A friend of mine turns off all electricity after 7 on Sunday, burning candles for light and adding a little of that silence we spoke about last month.
Tinetti also shares what he calls the “Anti-Creed;” the idea that every day shouldn’t start with a list of things to get done for it to be “good.” Every day is a gift that is given apart from the work that is done. He shares a story of a friend that wakes up every day with “I don’t have to get anything done today” to remind himself of that fact. He also references John the Baptizer’s confession that “[Christ] must increase, and I must decrease.” Let each day be a gift from God that he gives you, not a demand.
Finally, he encourages us all to W.A.I.T. This means “Why am I talking?” We need to remember that not everything needs a response, and often it’s not our place to respond to every little thing that we see. This goes for conversations and actions around us and especially for online discourse. God is in control of all things, and he works through means. That doesn’t mean that you are always the means he needs to use. When appropriate, speak up; when not, WAIT.
One final suggestion he makes is to practice using the phrase Deo Volante or “if God wills.” By speaking this truth, we will remember the truth that all things happen on God’s timing and authority. In this way we keep straight what is God’s business and can better tend to that which is our own. Blessings on your month!