Elbow Grease of Peace
Do any of you want to live a life that is long and good? Then watch your tongue! Keep your lips from telling lies! Turn away from evil and do good. Work hard at living in peace with others. Psalm 34:12-14
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This psalm spells out how to live a life of longevity and goodness. Who wouldn’t want such a life?! Among the list of instructions the psalmist gives, he specifically tells us to “work hard at living in peace with others.” We work hard at so many things—careers, projects, activities, event-planning, scheduling, housework, yard work— and all of them seem to demand our very best. However, the Lord says we are to work just as hard at living in peace with others, to aim for harmony in our relationships as his Spirit of peace lives through us and touches the lives of others. All of this begins with prayer. As you pray for peace with others, God’s Spirit may lead you to forgive, cooperate, serve, give, or just listen. As you do, you will be sowing seeds that eventually will reap a harvest of peace. Is there a relationship in your life that is not peaceful? One that is marked more by tension or conflict than by love? Ask the Lord today what you need to do or pray so that you may live in peace with that person.
Prayers:
LORD, my desire is to live in peace with others. Please open my eyes to see how you are directing me so that peace can flow through me and into the lives of others. Show me where I may have contributed to conflict or tensions with others, and help me to humbly seek forgiveness and sow seeds of peace for the future.
Quotes:
SOWING SEEDS OF PEACE IS LIKE SOWING BEANS. YOU DON’T KNOW WHY IT WORKS; YOU JUST KNOW IT DOES. SEEDS ARE PLANTED, AND TOPSOILS OF HURT ARE SHOVED AWAY.
Max Lucado (b. 1955)
The One Year Bible Readings for today are: Nehemiah 11:1–12:26; 1 Corinthians 10:14-33; Psalm 34:11-22 and Proverbs 21:14-16.
