My Body is God's Praise!

This is for all the struggling sisters out there. I think that 99.9% of all women struggle with body image. This has been a struggle for me all of my life, whether I’ve been a size 12 or a size 6, I’ve never been content with myself. It started because of some teasing I endured during the awkward, chubby, body-developing years of 4th-7th grade and have continued to haunt me 20 years later.

Well, let me share some new insights the Spirit has given me over the last months. First of all, let me enlighten you with the fact that we were all created in the image of God. After each day that God spoke something into existence during the Creation Story, documented in the book of Genesis, God said, “It is GOOD!” When he created Adam and Eve, He did not speak them into existence, but rather formed them from the dust of the earth. This indicates His careful and thoughtful formation, His personal relationship with man. Then He breathed His “breath of life” into man. How extraordinary is that? Each of us encompasses a part of God’s personality within our DNA. We all were created uniquely, yet in His image. How big and incredible is our God if He encompasses all the personality traits of the Myers-Briggs and beyond. It’s too big for my mind to fathom.

So, He knows that His creation is GOOD. Psalm 139 talks about how God knew us before we were born, He “knit us together in our mother’s womb.” If He is satisfied with His creation and spent time and thought forming us, what does it say to Him when our hearts are discontent with ourselves? I Corinthians 6:19 informs the believer, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body.” What does it mean to “honor” God with our body? It surely doesn't mean compare ourselves to others and wish we were different. It can’t mean to focus on what we think are imperfections. It doesn't mean to obsess over eating for comfort or not eating, exercising obsessively or laziness or giving up altogether. I think honoring God means taking care of our bodies through healthy amounts of exercise, food, rest, along with treating it with respect. If we are doing these things to honor God and not seeking or obsessing over acceptance from others, only then will we be content with the gift He’s given us...our bodies.

Romans 12:1 takes this a step further by exhorting us to, “…in view of God’s mercy, offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship.” The only thing we have to DO here is offer our bodies. Our bodies, themselves, are already holy and pleasing to God because they are His creation. All He wants is for us to offer all that we have to Him, including our physical bodies and this is a spiritual act of worship. Remember the verse that says that even the rocks and trees cry out in worship to the LORD? Well, our bodies cry out in worship to our God, whether we do or not because our body is part of His creation. So, wouldn't it be incredible if our whole being was united in that worship? If our spirit, soul and body were yielded wholly to the Spirit of God, we would love ourselves, body and all.

What does this look like practically? Instead of obsessing over the "last" ten pounds, maybe a life change is what I need. Eating healthier, exercising regularly and praising God for how He has made me. Being a fan of "The Biggest Loser" you really learn how important it is to go one day at a time and maintain the life-changing habits from day to day. [So throw out the "lose 10 pounds in three days!" articles and books. It's a lifelong commitment, sister!] As I'm eating, I ask myself: am I obsessing over the calories and fat grams or feeling guilty for treating myself? Am I thinking about food all the time? Or, am I simply eating because my body needs it? Same with exercise, am I doing it because I'm obsessed over losing those ten pounds or burning off the calories for that piece of cake I just ate or am I just doing it to be healthy? I hope and pray that one day I will get to the place where I eat simply because my body needs nourishment and I exercise to keep my temple healthy. More than that, I hope that even if I remain the same, I will learn to be content with myself and love the body I'm in. THAT, is honoring my body and THAT is my spiritual act of worship!

My Time = Your Time

Dear God, I am so grateful that I have finally learned the simple truth: You just want to spend time with me. I don’t necessarily have to open my Bible to do this. I don’t have to have a quiet space and a certain amount of time. You just want me to realize that You are a part of my everyday life. You are there when I road-rage, You are there when I get impatient with my children, You are there when I pray for someone hurting or in need, You are there when I serve my family. I don’t often acknowledge Your presence in the “every day” part of life. You long to be known and experienced in those “every day” moments.

I used to be held in bondage by my fears of failing in my Quiet Times. I was in bondage to high expectations from myself and others. My Quiet Times were riddled with shame, guilt, or a new self-infused vigor to “do better.” Maybe if I get up earlier. If only I had one more hour in the day. If only the kids would shut-up and leave me alone… Maybe if I had someone to be accountable to…. All of these things came up empty as I continued to fail miserably!

Then I realized, wait…I don’t even pray. If I do have my Quiet Time, I go about my day forgetting what I learned and yet I have a sense of self-righteous satisfaction that “I” did it! It was just another thing to mark off my check list for the day, along with making my bed. Those times I spent with You did nothing to transform my heart or my mind.

But now, for some reason, the light bulb's been turned on. Paul’s command to pray without ceasing has new meaning. You want me to acknowledge Your constant presence in my life. You want me to talk to You throughout the day (not just that 20 minutes I sometimes set aside in the morning). You are my best friend, always at my side, whether I'm wiping a counter or a poopy bottom. You want to hear everything I’m thinking, even though You already know it. Just like I heartache over my parents missing so much of my “every day” life, You long for me to notice You and experience Your life! Oh, forgive me, sweet Father. Thank You for always being there, for holding me during those fearful and lonely hours. I’m sorry that it has taken me this long to recognize Your constant presence and desire for me.