Better Health, Better Choices
1 Corinthians 6:12-20
I started video-taping a short message about upcoming events to post online. Feedback was mostly positive except for one “friend” who suggested I move the camera above me so people wouldn’t see all the sags and wrinkles around my chin and neck. “What sags? What wrinkles?” Then I looked in the mirror. “Oh! Those!” Yep! I’m old and have the body to prove it: wrinkles, sags and all.
God made us each unique: Some are athletic, some not. Some skinny. Some not. But all of us are beautiful, inimitable, creations of God designed with a purpose. God provided our bodies to better serve that purpose. In a letter to the Corinthians Paul wrote: “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So, you must honor God with your body.” (1 Cor. 19-20)
As temples, our bodies do not belong to ourselves as much as they belong to God. How well are you honoring God through the temple you were given? So, this story is not as much about our bodies as it is about our readiness to serve. How active are you in using the gifts God has given you in service of God? How well is the church helping you and others care for your temple, your body? How well is your church actively helping those who struggle with limitations and illness?
As you read this, please don’t think I am now a super health advocate. I confess to a weakness for ice cream and anything chocolate. Exercise does not excite me. I work long hours with little sleep. I need to take better care of my temple. My recent heart problems were a stark reminder that good health should never be taken for granted. We are called by God to make a difference in the lives of others but if we don’t bother to take care of our temples, we will not be as effective as we should and could be.
For me, something needed to change. I needed to make better choices when it came to taking care of my temple, my body. Better choices when eating. Better choices with exercise. Better choices about sleep. Better choices in dealing with stress. Good Health is something I can no longer assume. I try to make those better choices each day.
So, the lesson is more about making better choices with what God has given us and to know there is a power within us far greater than our fragile jars, our bodies, our temples.
I also learned a few different camera angles. Sheesh!
Prayer Challenge: What choices do you need to make caring for your temple?