YOUR BODY IS SOME-BODY God has taught me much about how to view myself and my purpose in life through an eternal perspective. Instead of focusing on my outward appearance, I have discovered through God�s revelation to me how to view my body. God has shown me that this body of mine is His vessel. That�s all-nothing more, nothing less. 2 Corinthians 4:7 says, �We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves� (NASB). Did you catch that, my friend? You and I are earthen vessels that God has created to display His power. In other words, the body is a vessel which houses the Holy Spirit in order that God may be glorified through it. Think about it. If God were to use extravagant vessels, would not the vessel itself receive the glory? Therefore, since we are earthen vessels, God uses us (and even our weaknesses) to show that He alone is God. Why did God even create our bodies to begin with? 1 Corinthians 6:13 says, �Food is for the stomach, and the stomach is for food; but God will do away with both of them. Yet the body is not for immorality, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.� This verse clearly states that our bodies were created for God. Although Paul was particularly addressing sexual immorality, the verses that follow are applicable to eating disorders as well. Verses 19 and 20 go on to state, � Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body.� My precious sister in Christ, you and I have been bought with a price. Why? God loves us. How much more should we care offer our bodies to God as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1) because they are not ours, but God�s. I would hate for God to bring charges of vandalism for His property against me. He has created us for a purpose. The purpose? To glorify and bring honor to His name. Because we are to be like Jesus (2:6) whose purpose was to do the will of His Father (John 6:28), we are to use these bodies that God has created to do the will of the Father. After all, we �have been created by Him and for Him� (Colossians 1:16). Another thing which I have come to realize is that my body is a gift from God to me. Think about how hard it would be to live if it were not for you body. With out our bodies, we would not be able to speak to others and have wonderful friendships and relationships. We would not be able to run, play sports, view God�s glorious creation, hold new born babies, create masterpieces with our own hands and fingers, and travel from one destination to another. God has graciously equipped our bodies to allow us to participate and enjoy life. I am slowly learning to enjoy my body and thank God for this body He has made for me- and only me. Instead of scrutinizing the imperfections and abhorring over the flaws, I am beginning to thank God for my body. I challenge you right now to make a list of all the wonderful things God has allowed your body to help you accomplish and all the things that your body does for you each day. Make sure that once you are through with your list that you remember to thank the Almighty Creator of your body. It might be of use to keep that list with you so that whenever you begin to think negative and self-hating thoughts about yourself and your body, you can quickly remind yourself of all the marvelous benefits of your body. God has not only entrusted us with our bodies to offer back to Him for His glory, but He has also entrusted to us the responsibility of caring for it. He entrusted each of us with vessels in which He would send His Spirit to dwell. As we both know, it is extremely difficult for the Holy Spirit to use and minister through a weak, fatigued, and sickly body. In order to gain an eternal perspective of the body, I think it is extremely important to keep in mind our purpose on this Earth and for our existence. Proper sleep and rest is extremely important in order that we may serve and love God with all of our strength. Many instances through the gospels show Jesus retreating to be alone (Matthew 14:13, Matthew 5:1, Mark 6:31, 32). During these times, I would imagine that Jesus would take time to refresh and rest Himself as well as allow Himself to communicate with the Father. Another part of caring for the body includes proper food and nourishment. God created food for humans and animals. If it were not a necessary part of life, why else would He have created it? If you and I are to glorify God and allow Him to use us, we must give our bodies the fuel it needs to have strength and energy. God desires for us to feed ourselves (not undernourish or over nourish) because He wants us to be healthy, live a long life, serve others, and love Him with our strength and bodies. If our bodies are weak and fatigued as a result of not eating, throwing up, or exercising too much, we are not on the active and able list to serve God with our whole being. God does not want just part of you, but all of you - even your body! |