God created us as male and female and has given us amazing bodies to enjoy. And the path toward spiritual maturity is not becoming disembodied souls, where our bodies are merely tolerated as functional tools. Our growth includes learning to be at home in our bodies and reflecting the glory of God as embodied beings.
It’s true we cannot get away from our bodies. Our body is with us everywhere we go. But for many, our relationship with our body is ambiguous at best. And when we’re honest, it’s often used and abused much more than it’s honored and blessed. We often take it for granted and consider it simply as the vehicle to get the more important things of life done. As such, poor nutrition, lack of sleep, and little exercise are all too often the norm.
And frequently we’re condemning when our attention does turn to our bodies. We see every flaw and imperfection and curse our created form. Eventually this leads to greater disconnection and more problems. For instance, repeated and prolonged issues with erections are often traced back to not being at home in our own bodies. Reliable erections are less likely when we’re out of touch with the deep movements of our body and soul.
We grow toward being at home in our bodies by learning to accept it and bless it. Accepting doesn’t mean we settle. As faithful stewards of what God has given us we must harness our body into its best in each season of life. And to bless is to speak God’s goodness and delight over it. Our bodies are God’s masterpieces and the temple of his Spirit who lives in us. It’s the least we can do then to speak honor and life over the very bodies he has given us.
In the end, body and soul are one. Learn to be at home in your body and discover the fullness of life God has for you.
Photo by Gary Meulemans on Unsplash
