My whole life changed when I realized God cared about my body as much as He cares about my spirit.
As we dive into the eight dimensions of holistic wellness, it seemed only fair to start with the one that comes to mind immediately, yet we connect to the Creator least.
We are called to present our BODIES to God, as a LIVING sacrifice by His great MERCY.
His mercy means that even if we haven't done it right for the last couple years (or couple decades), we can start now. His mercies are new every day.
When I think of a sacrifice, or offering, I am immediately brought back to the story of Cain and Abel. The issue with Cain's sacrifice was not that it was inferior next to Abel's, the issue is that Abel gave God his best while Cain gave Him what was left. When we sacrifice to God, we take off the top. God deserves more than just whatever we feel like giving in the flesh.
And yet as we offer Him our bodies, we think that the ignored and ill cared for version is good enough. But here is the thing, your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit; He resides in your body. When choosing and caring for a church, you wouldn't ignore it's needs. We care for our churches, and our bodies deserve the same respect as dwelling places of the Lord.
And He cares! Consider the definition of physical wellness. It breaks down into three categories, all of equal importance in making our bodies function to the best of our abilities.
What are you fueling with?
How are you moving?
Are you resting?
And God speaks life and truth into all three.
What are you fueling your body with? We are told in the Bible that whatever we eat or drink (that's our fuel) and whatever we do, we should do it all for the glory of God. Is the fuel you are choosing bringing Him glory?
How are you moving? We are not called nor created to sit around and wait for something to happen. We are called to run our race, to have endurance. Are you moving your body toward the call of God in your life? If the time has not come, are you actively training to be the best you that you can be when the time is right?
Are you resting? Our bodies are designed for recovery. When you lift, you are careful to not focus on the same muscle group two days in a row. Why? Because for proper muscle recovery and growth, you need a day in between. We were not created to pedal-to-the-metal 24/7. If we are fueling well and moving but not resting adequately, our physical health will not be at it's peak. God knew that when He created us and said, "Be still, and know that I am God," and also gave us the gift of sabbath.
God cares about our bodies, and our bodies are where everything else shows up. To gain true holistic and biblical wellness, we have to start with our bodies. We have to start with our fuel, our movement, and our rest.
How is your physical wellness affecting your holistic health in this season?
[Rom 12:1 NASB20] 1 Therefore I urge you, brothers [and sisters,] by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, [which is] your spiritual service of worship.
[Lam 3:22-23 NASB20] 22 The LORD'S acts of mercy indeed do not end, For His compassions do not fail. 23 [They] are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
[Gen 4:3-4 NASB20] 3 So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the LORD from the fruit of the ground. 4 Abel, on his part also brought [an offering,] from the firstborn of his flock and from their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering;
[1Co 6:19 NASB20] 19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and [that] you are not your own?
[1Co 10:31 NASB20] 31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all things for the glory of God.
[Heb 12:1 NASB20] 1 Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let's rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let's run with endurance the race that is set before us,
[Psa 46:10 NASB20] 10 "Stop [striving] and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted on the earth."
[Exo 20:8-11 NASB20] 8 "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 "For six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath of the LORD your God; [on it] you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male slave or your female slave, or your cattle, or your resident who stays with you. 11 "For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea and everything that is in them, and He rested on the seventh day; for that reason the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.