Archive for the 'Spiritually Fit Bodies' Category
05-30-2008
Spiritually Fit Bodies
Spiritually Fit Bodies 
“I urge you therefore, brother, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship. Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2 I was on a flight after an incredibly soul-filling, and emotionally exhausting weekend retreat. The weight of my eyelids lured me into the fantasy of anticipated sleep (just a few more hours!). I got out a book that my friend had just given me called Healing Prayer, this would be the perfect meditative opportunity before I reclaimed my bed. I was asked to move to a different seat on the plane to accommodate a boyfriend and girlfriend who wanted to sit together. This left me on an aisle seat with the two seats to my right available. Just then two beautiful girls approached and made their way to the seats beside me. Part of growing older has allowed me the gift of appreciating everyone’s gifts, even the gift of physical beauty. I don’t see it as intimidating, I just see it as someone having been kissed by the pretty gene, so I was more than happy to make room for my attractive sisters. I soon realized I was invisible to them as they talked incessantly on-top of one another. I was not trying to eavesdrop, but my ADD wrestled between Healing Prayer and the girl’s chatter. I soon longed for earplugs or my ipod. The talk went from their spray tans, to hair extentions,to all the augmentations they have had and are going to tweak, to their many relationships, bed partners, and ultimately revealing their profession of modeling (revealing being a key word). The “F” bomb was flying like pop corn Kernels on a hot stove. I kept trying to block it out and focus on my book, it was no use. I shut the book and tried to fall asleep. The volume of their conversation escalated with each sexual indiscretion they upped each other with. They applauded one another for their financial success and spoke of the challenge in deciding how to spend their fortunes. I confess, the overtired part of me went into judgment mode and I was now agitated even at the couple who made me move in the first place, but another part of me, a more sensitive spiritual one, grieved. I wondered how a person gets to such a place where their life is completely based on their external existence. Their livelihood revolved around their body and so did their extracurricular activities. Suddenly, I had a whole new concept for ‘clothing the naked’. I thought of my own little girl and how my deepest desire is to nurture her soul and shepherd her heart. I hope to teach her the value of her body as God’s holy temple, the place that houses her soul, the place where the Holy Spirit lives and dwells. I wanted to desperately take these girls back to a time when they were little and re-teach them the value of their worth, a worth that is not based on their temporal body, but rather their eternal one.
With each “F” bomb, and each sexual conquest recounted, I became more sorrowful. I thought about my friend who works for an outreach center. She had recently shed tears over her despondency that the shelters funding had been cut. She worried this would greatly compromise the ability to feed the homeless in the community. How is it that money can be so misappropriated that we are feeding ego’s and starving those who walk hungry among us? We financially reinforce a maligned image of the body while ignoring the needs of our poor (our brothers and sisters). I no longer was annoyed, or offended; I was just heartbroken. I am not condemning or pretending to be more pious than I am. I am; however, realizing my own iniquities and responsibilities in regard to my need to refocus my priorities. I want to take my eyes off the superficial, the expendable, and re-align with that which is everlasting. I am reminded that the homeless woman does not ache for a manicure, but whose stomach growls for some broth. The homeless man is not concerned if his legs look white in shorts, but he does have to ponder where he will rest his head each night. The homeless children don’t care if they wear Nike or Reebok, but they do appreciate any kind of shoes to help protect their feet during inclement weather. The homeless family does not care if their curtains match their furniture; they are just thankful for a roof over their head during a rainstorm.
I grieve because I am guilty of contributing to this paradox every time I take my eyes off the everlasting. For today, I pray that I am able to continually be more aware of ways I can let go of that which is temporal (even my body), and pay better attention to those in need. I don’t want to teach my children to worship a homeless man on Sunday, and then contradict that by driving right by him on Monday. May today be a day of gratitude for our bodies, by which we can use to build His kingdom among us- by loving one another, by feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and focusing on a bigger body, The Body of Christ. Together in union with Him, Tammy
Jesus had no servants, yet they called Him Master. Had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher. Had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer. Had no army, yet kings feared Him. He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world. He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him. He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today. We are honored to serve such a Leader who loves us so much.
Posted by admin in Spiritually Fit Bodies, are-you-smarter-than-a-5th-grader | Comments Off