'Didn't you realize that your body is a sacred place, the place of the Holy Spirit? Don't you see you can't live however you please, squandering what God paid such a high price for? The physical part of you is not some piece of property belonging to the spiritual part of you.
God owns the whole works.
So let people see God in and through your body.'
God owns the whole works.
So let people see God in and through your body.'
- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 {The Message} -
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If we're brave enough to gaze at our unclothed image in a full length mirror, are we filled with wonder and awe at His marvelous creation, so fearfully and wonderfully made?
The older we get, the less likely we are to be delighted at what stares back at us.
For the years take their merciless toll as our strength wanes, our skin sags, and the numbers on the scale creep higher. Our muscles loosen up and scars' jagged lines appear here and there, faded but still real, a striking testament to our suffering, disease, and injuries. Weird aches, chronic pain, diagnoses that leave us shaken to the core, scary medical procedures, and sudden emergencies only serve to remind us that we are aging daily.
The older we get, the less likely we are to be delighted at what stares back at us.
For the years take their merciless toll as our strength wanes, our skin sags, and the numbers on the scale creep higher. Our muscles loosen up and scars' jagged lines appear here and there, faded but still real, a striking testament to our suffering, disease, and injuries. Weird aches, chronic pain, diagnoses that leave us shaken to the core, scary medical procedures, and sudden emergencies only serve to remind us that we are aging daily.
Yet the soul, the sacred place where the Spirit chooses as a dwelling place, is mysteriously housed in this imperfect frame. If we can somehow re-calibrate our waning self-image to match that splendid truth, perhaps we would discover a life-altering invitation to a more deliberate, focused care of our bodies.
Not for the body's sake, but for the honor of our Creator.
When all is said and done, how awesome would it be to hear God say, 'well done, good and faithful servant' ... not only when He examines how we lived our lives, but also as He reflects on the way we cared for the bodies He Himself designed.
my desire is to live a
Christ honoring
grace filled
no regrets
proactive
lifestyle
When it comes to the care of my body
my desire is to live a
Christ honoring
grace filled
no regrets
proactive
lifestyle
I've got a long way to go on this. But it's an invitation I want to say 'yes' to more faithfully. For when my health goes south and my days are numbered, I want to be at complete peace knowing that I did the best I could with what I was given. And leave the results in His most capable hands.
You, too?
You, too?
Hi Linda! I woke this morning after a long weekend spent with my daughter and thought...back to the diet and exercise! I do miss it when I don't have it.
ReplyDeleteIt's so true that our bodies are not our own, they are God's gift to us to use, but they really are His. How am I treating my gift? Not very well this weekend, I'll tell you that!
Have a blessed Columbus Day,
Ceil
There's always grace, fresh starts, and room to enjoy a good meal ... or two!
DeleteI hope you guys all had fun together ... and that SHE did the cooking!
;-}
Yes, me too. I agree, it is more difficult as we age to appreciate the body we were given. I have been walking again now that the humid weather is gone. It not only keeps my body in shape (such as it is) but being out in nature reminds me to be grateful for all that God has given us...including my aging body.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, Kara ... I'm doing alot more walking now that the humidity is gone. And for sure, His creation testifies to His greatness and that leads us right into gratitude.
DeleteI'll remember what you said about being grateful about our aging bodies. It could be worse, right?
Interesting post Linda. I have never thought of the physical body in this context, only the spiritual. Thanks for connection - a different way of thinking!
ReplyDeleteEmotional, mental, physical, spiritual ... they're all woven together in such a unique way that it's hard to tease them apart ...
DeleteTalk about fearfully and wonderfully made, huh?
Great timing for me to read, Linda. I can get frustrated with my body for many things: forgetting how to sleep, bad knee, achy back, etc. But as the temple of the living God, I need to talk about it with respect, being grateful for all the things it does for me still, not just the things it's not doing so well anymore. As long as God chooses to live in this old body, I want to praise him through it! Blessings to you, friend!
ReplyDeleteForgetting how to sleep. That's a good way to put it, Lisa. And sometimes there's just no rhyme or reason ...
DeleteI like what you said about talking about our bodies with respect and being grateful for what we still possess and can use. Gratitude breeds a state of contentment and peace which is good for our health ...
And it must please Him not to hear us whining and complaining ...
This is SO true!
ReplyDeleteDo I see you balancing not 1 but 2 little ones in your overflowing arms?
DeleteI'm impressed, Jandi!
Not really well enough to be coherent, Linda, sorry. Pain, and PTSD flashbacks, lightning over a night-scape. I wanted you to know I was here.
ReplyDeleteThe body...it doesn't really matter. The body's a tool to be used up, and expended. I'm going to use this vessel up. There's nothing to be saved.
http://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2015/10/your-dying-spouse-68-conversations.html
In your pain, Andrew, I pray you will lean into our Savior, the One who keeps on bearing our griefs and carrying our sorrows. He knows what dying is like. He loves you so ...
Delete'Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.' - John 14:27
This is such a challenge to me. I use the excuse of a diagnosis that makes weight loss hard to not do anything. I know that I'm to take care of my body but excuses are easy. This post makes those excuses harder! Thanks for sharing. #raralinkup
ReplyDeleteOh I hear you, Winter! I can be the queen of excuses. But when all is said and done, we own our choices. Hard stuff!
DeleteThanks for joining us today ...
Amen Linda! As my body recovers from the stroke, so does my heart recover for His glory. Thank you for visiting me this morning and sharing your thoughts here with us. Many blessings to you and yours! Have a wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteWelcome, man! Good to meet ya' today.
DeleteMay your writing encourage your heart even as you recover from the stroke.
You just taught me something amazing. Our soul is housed in our imperfect body. Now before you think I didn't know that, what I mean is that it hit me with a new understanding today. Those words will be mulling around my brain for quite awhile. Love this!
ReplyDeleteI love how the Spirit enlightens and takes us to the next level. How good God is to have given us His constant presence ...
DeleteIf only more women, more girls would believe and view themselves through the mirror of this Truth. Just imagine the things they wouldn't do - the things we wouldn't do. Love this invitation, friend.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, June. What lies have we believed along the way ...
DeleteGood to find this today. I wrote about aging today too as we celebrate our 38th anniversary today. I especially appreciate your reminders of the care of our physical selves being part of the whole and not to be neglected. Thank you, Linda.
ReplyDeleteHey Debby ... glad to have you here ... and HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to you and your man. What a milestone to celebrate.
DeleteGod is good!
;-}
... certainly interesting and very challenging, to say the least!!!!
ReplyDelete{via email}
Challenging? Absolutely. You've said it all ...
DeleteOnly by His grace do we go there!
It looks like we were up at the same time this morning, Linda ... it's lovely to have you as my neighbor at Holley's place. You make a great point about how soul care is connected to body care. Back when my hormonal roller coaster was at its worst, running on the treadmill was my mental lifeline. I didn't enjoy it much (still don't, actually), but I loved how I felt when I was done, and that kept me doing it. I never really thought of it as a way I could glorify God, though, so I appreciate that thought very much!
ReplyDeleteOh gosh, Lois, I remember that hormonal roller coaster nightmare season a decade ago. I truly didn't think I was going to survive. Literally. I so hear what you're saying. We grabbed hold of every mental / spiritual / emotional lifeline that we could, didn't we ...
DeleteThank God He held us close through the misery.
Absolutely. As someone who grew up in competitive track and field, I used to view my body as the means to an end. Then as I got older it became about looking good. For a while I had a blog about fitness and nutrition, but I stopped blogging there because it became more about the appearance than truly respecting this temple of God that is the body. I am a fitness fanatic but I find that my focus is not as obsessive as it was. So glad I found your blog through #LiveFreeThursday.
ReplyDeleteDon't you love how our stories unfold, emerging into who we are in this season? Usually a bit wiser, more sane and balanced.
DeleteI'll be over to check out your online home, Maria. I'm truly glad you joined us here today. Welcome!
;-}
I feel the same way and then someone hands me a piece of cake!
ReplyDeleteAnd I say 'why, thank you! I would love a piece of cake!!"
DeleteYum.
;-}
I am made in the image of God! That is enough for me!
ReplyDeleteAmen! That godly perspective switches everything around to where it needs to be, Barb ...
Delete