HEAD, HANDS, and HEART

Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.
Psalm 86:11

Clicking through photos on a digital camera, a mother will immediately recognize a child’s fake smile. God can spot them light-years away. Do you suppose that the Israelites pasted on fake smiles as they lifted their hands at the religious festivals and assemblies? Do you think their teeth were clenched and their hearts aloof as they worshipped the Lord with offerings and songs?
 
This was God’s response to what He saw: “I hate, I despise your religious festivals; I cannot stand your assemblies. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps” (Amos 5:21-23).
 
Have you ever put hands and feet to your Micah Road journey with a fake smile and divided heart? Francis Chan writes, “God doesn’t want religious duty. He doesn’t want a distracted, half-hearted ‘Fine, I’ll read a chapter . . . now are You happy?’ attitude.”
 
As a child I loved joining my classmates in this silly action song: Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes, Knees and Toes . . .
 
The same connections need to be made within Micah Road walkers: Head, Hands, Heart and Head, Hands and Heart.
 
James warns against being all head and no hands. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says (James 1:22). Henry Edward Manning wrote, “We must watch against the subtle temptation to substitute knowledge for obedience.”
 
David counseled Solomon to serve with his hands, head, and heart. Serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought (1 Chronicles 28:9).
 
David made an engaged head, hands, and heart his prayer. Teach me your way [head knowledge], O LORD, and I will walk [and use my hands] in your truth; give me an undivided heart [united to Yours], that I may fear your name (Psalm 86:11).
 
God tells Micah Road walkers that He requires a connection between head, hands, and heart. He has shown all you people [given head knowledge] what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly [hands], love mercy [heart], and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8).

Faith Step
Is there a missing link between your head, hands, and heart? Ask the Holy Spirit to empower you to exercise all three today.
 
God sees hearts as we see faces.
George Herbert