WholeSample

Every Body Matters

We've all been there. Our stomach grumbles, our energy plummets, our head spins and suddenly we are snapping at our innocent friend / colleague / spouse / child for no justifiable reason. Isn't it amazing how much influence the body can have on the mind and on the soul?

For us to truly live in wholeness, we cannot neglect our bodies. God intends for us to steward our bodies with care so that we can better serve Him and accomplish all that we are called to do on earth. Kingdom stewardship of our bodies has two equally important aspects: meeting the needs of our body and subjecting the demands of our body to the Lordship of Christ.

It does not honour God to abuse or neglect our bodies, even in the name of working hard for the cause of Christ. Our bodies need nutrition, hydration, rest and exercise to function the way God has designed. It also does not honour God to allow the needs of our body to dominate our lives. Even Jesus was hungry and tired in His time on earth, but these physical demands never influenced Him to react in the flesh or be distracted from what God was calling Him to do. As we have discovered in these daily devotionals, the soul, the mind and the body are all brilliant servants but poor masters. It is the Spirit that must take the lead.

What is the Holy Spirit saying to us about our bodies? Maybe we struggle with our self-image and are critical of our own bodies. Allow God to speak into that today. Maybe we need to treat our bodies with better care. God could be speaking to us about sleeping better, eating better or working on our fitness? Or maybe we are too focussed on our bodies and meeting their needs for comfort or pleasure. The Holy Spirit can give us the power we need today to discipline our bodies and bring them under strict control (1 Cor 9:27). And, of course, if we need healing in our body in any way, Jehovah Rapha, our Healer, is with us right where we are.

Prayer: God, thank You for my body. Show me how I can better steward it for your glory and give me the grace and courage to make any changes that I need to make. I surrender my whole self to you - spirit, soul, mind and body - and trust You to keep leading me to a place of complete wholeness.