Our bodies are often viewed as merely tools to help us function in life. And for many it’s also a source of shame and embarrassment. At best, it’s simply a practical means for living, while also possibly being considered dirty and disgusting even if we don’t say such things out loud. Whatever it looks like, we’re more prone to despise or curse our bodies rather than bless them. But our bodies are a gift and blessing for us to receive, as we then also give to others in love, which is especially true in marriage.
To be sure, the sex act is theological and not merely practical. As Christ offered his body to us as a life-giving gift, so we are to offer our body to our wife as a life-giving gift. But this requires us to first see our bodies as a gift. And it’s hard to generously and graciously offer ourselves to the one we love when we see no value or worth in the body we are.
This might lead to a sexless marriage for some, while for others sex becomes simply mechanical. Either way, we’re not able to freely offer our bodies in love as Christ has shown us the way.
Our practice of love to our wife begins by first learning to receive love from God. And this receiving includes being able to receive with deep gratitude the very body he has given us. As we learn to bless our bodies we’re then able to freely offer our bodies in love to our wife, in and outside of the bedroom. This also frees us to bring more of our embodied strength into the rest of our life and relationships as well.
Our body is not a mere appendage to our spiritual life, but rather an integral part of it.
In the end, learn to honor your body and bless it. This allows you then to offer it in love as Christ did for us.
