January 18: Heart and Hands

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:7

The phrase "working in concert" is illustrated most beautifully by a concert orchestra itself. What a cacophony would b e created if a hundred musicians, playing several dozen kinds of instruments, were all playing separate pieces! But by working in concert - playing the same score-they produce a work of beauty.

In the Christian life, heart and hands must work in concert to produce a life of peace. Our  desires (the heart) and our actions (the hands) must be working toward the same goal, or tension and disharmony will cause peace to vanish. In Philippians 4:6-9, Paul talks about living a prayerful life free from anxiety (verses 6-7) and give us themes on which the heart can settle in peace: true, noble, and virtuous things (verses 8-9). It does no good to pray for peace if we are fixing our minds on the conflicts and struggles of this world.

If you are seeking peace today, spend time meditating on Paul's words. Fix your heart, and then fold your hands in prayer- and receive God's peace.

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We must never settle for harmony at the expense of holiness, nor for peace at the expense of principle - John Bradford