God made us as whole beings, nothing missing. As followers
of Jesus, we can have wholeness starting from within (God’s Spirit dwelling in
us). Alignment of God’s Spirit with our spirit, our spirit to our soul and
heart, our soul and heart to our bodies is wholeness. We have been weaved
together as intricate, beautiful reflections of our Creator. How we treat our bodies is a key part of
being whole physically, aligned fully with God, having power and intimacy.
“You are what you
eat”, you have probably heard. Literally, the building blocks of how your body
cells are formed, makes up your physical body. For example, the fats we eat
make up our cell walls. Choosing unrefined oils, allows our body to have
healthier cell structures. May our identity in Christ be consistent with how we
treat our bodies as a temple of the Holy Spirit.
God is not only concerned about our spirituality. As a
church, we have become good at seeking whole spirituality, aligning our emotions,
memories, and heart with God. I want to challenge you today, to continue to align
in the physical as well. Can we declare a cancer free zone, but still consume
carcinogens? To host the healing presence more, we can be responsible with the
knowledge we have of how to take care of the body. This really changes how we
can pursue healing. Not only is it our responsibility to pray and take
authority over sickness, we can take authority by how we choose to treat our
own bodies.
Brother Lawrence, from the 17th Century, known for
his intimacy with Jesus, practiced the presence of God, while cooking. Eating
for health and nutrition are byproducts of a healthy spirit connected with
God. By making healthy choices of what
we put in and on our bodies we are pursuing wholeness and healing in the
physical and the spiritual.
I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg
of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of
your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice,
holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable
(rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. Do not be
conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its
external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire]
renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may
prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God,
even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].
Romans 12:1-2, Amplified Version
Prayer: God, I give you permission to change how I think about food. I give you permission to change how I think about eating. I give you permission to change how I think about taking care of your temple, my body. Show me, how I can worship You to the fullest with my whole being.
