“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10
“Keep your bodies strong to live long for Jesus.” Grace Fox, author and speaker
Fall season is an abundance of pumpkin spice and everything that taste deliciously nice. From sugary spiced special coffees to pumpkin pies topped with sweetened whipped cream, this season includes celebration feasts where indulgence seems demanded. And don’t we deserve treats, especially when cold winter days are coming soon?
I am tempted by the picture perfect cream cheese filled pumpkin muffins, and the whip creamed topped specialty coffees offered. My hands dig deep into my empty uniform pockets. It’s my lunch hour walk when I don’t carry money for this very reason. It’s easier to give into temptation when I hold reasons I think I can. “I’ve had a busy week…I deserve to treat myself…the nutritional content might be low but once in awhile is okay, isn’t it?…so someone brought me that big chocolate chip cookie yesterday and that donut the day before….today deserves a treat too….” and it goes on.
I hobble past the line-up of people at Starbucks, my gait slow from a back injury. Although hereditary factors may contribute to my back weakness, I must admit I am guilty of not caring for my body. Instead of taking breaks for a walk or a strength exercise video, I stay seated at my desk or or in my chair when working or reading. Instead of making a salad from the vegetables in my fridge, I grab a handful of crackers or a sweet muffin when hurrying to meet a deadline or to be on time for a meeting. Ironically, in my rush to “serve more productively”, I slow my body, a habit that is not strengthening me to live out what I strive for — to live out my gifts for Jesus.
Food is necessary to keep our energy going. Filling up on a satisfying meal can make us feel revived and energized for the next activity of our day. Whatever we eat and drink should nourish our bodies for strength and endurance. When we fill up on the busy and let go of the healthy, we no longer give our bodies our best to serve our best. We break down instead of strengthening up to live out our days as God intended.
After all, food is God’s gift so we have the energy to do the work He has set out for us.
In the same way that spending time in God’s word fills us spiritually, spending time nourishing our bodies fills us nutritionally.
In our productivity pressured world, how can we prioritize our bodies so we “live long for Jesus?”
Spending time in scripture to remember God’s call to honour our bodies; joining an exercise class with a friend; taking regular movement breaks; having diced fruits and vegetables on-hand to easily assemble a healthy snack or meal; drinking an abundant amount of water; and remembering that God made you unique with gifts and talents that only you can give – help us become God’s healthy and energized stewards.
Make your reasons for your choices His reasonings for wanting you to live your best.
Without you living out your best life, as God intended, the world suffers!
What can you do today to nourish your body so you grow in strength and endurance to live long for Jesus?
Thanks so muxh, Lynn for this right up. I feel so guilty neglecting my body: “we “must” ⁰ prioritize our bodies so we “live long for Jesus?””
I hope you are doing well, Margaret!
Yes, Lynn, God has been great! Thanks
This is a wonderful reminder, Lynn. Having experienced health issues in my 20’s and 30’s, as I near my 60’s, I try to make my health a priority. That said, I have issues with sleeping that I know aren’t good for me. Gorgeous photos today!
Our life experiences are teachers of life. Having health issues so young must have been hard, Jill. I’m glad health is a priority (so you live long for Jesus) for you! I pray God guides your sleep, giving you exactly what your body requires. May you have a joy-filled and RESTFUL week!
Lynn, for years I thought it was godly to “buffet” my body, obviously taking scripture out of context. It’s one thing to curb fleshly desires and foolish preoccupation with self, appearance, and so forth, but quite another to neglect caring for the temple of the Holy Spirit! How much better we can serve God and others when we take proper care of these bodies God has given us!
So sorry about the back injury! Sending healing prayers and hugs your way!
Donna, you say is so well. Being preoccupied with our body due to our own, dare I say, vanity, is much different than honoring our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit! Thanks for this reminder. Resting is getting my back “back” in order. 🙂 I appreciate your prayers! Hugs back to you!
I so appreciate your gentle practical suggestions and thoughts, Lynn. I have been so far out of my normal groove that sugar has become an addiction . . . again. As my life begins to calm down, I want to get back into working out to help my body.
One other things that is helpful for our bodies is to spend time standing every hour. I set a timer for an hour. When it goes off, I try to stand and move for ten minutes before sitting back down again.
um, did you write this for me, Lynn?!
i got my blood work tests results tonight and they gave me cause for pause. it’s time to get some of those numbers back down to where they belong. thanks for this prompt and these strong yet tender words of encouragement.
i take this with me –>’strengthening me to live out what I strive for — to live out my gifts for Jesus.’
thanks, friend.
I’m so sorry for your back problems, Lynn. Thank you so much for this important advice to not only nurture our spirits but also to honor the bodies God has given us. As always, your photos refresh my spirit! 🙂 Love and blessings to you!
This is a good reminder. I tend to stay in my routines of eating sweets and sitting in my chair because they are comfortable to me and because it takes time to exercise and prepare healthy food. Plus my taste buds are trained a certain way, and prefer cookies to fruit. But weight and health issues aren’t going to change without changing habits.