Among the synonyms for “sacred” are words like cherished, revered, guarded, sanctified, and holy. Do I cherish the body I have? Do I treat it reverently? Do I really care about it? And what about the bodies of others? Do I cherish them, the sacred others?
I Corinthians 3:17
If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.
On Facebook I have a friend, Tracey Tiernan, who has started a group called “Flipping the Switch” (She writes, “It seems like my pursuit of being healthy is like a switch in my brain that is either flipped off or on.”)
Isn’t our view of ourselves and others the same way? Flipping a switch is a clever way of calling for a choice. Or, in poker, revealing a hand. It’s time to lay the cards on the table and go with what we have. Use what we have. Honor what we have. Cherish what we have.
Like many people, I am in denial about the state of my body. I can justify putting my health and my body on the back burner because “I’m so busy.” Oh, it’s holy to pray every day. And it’s beneficial to others and to me to write every day. It nourishes the brain to read every day. It nurtures the soul to study the Word every day. But, what am I doing for this body?
Oh yeah, I’m feeding it all right. Good for me: I take vitamins and minerals. And then I go out for a latte and a donut (a munchkin, because it disappears before I can think about it). I pop chocolate. I ride when I could walk. I sit when I could stand. I sleep as little as possible. I drink about one glass of water a day and the rest is tea and coffee (pat on the back, I’ve given up soda and aspartame). I eat in my car, at my desk, and sitting at a computer. I cook with a microwave. Is this cherishing behavior?
My body is a microcosm of God’s world. The parable about planting and then leaving a vineyard in the care of servants while the Master goes on a journey also applies to the body [Matthew 21:33-41]. I am the caretaker for my body. It has been entrusted to me in this 3D world.
I want to accept who I am IN this body. I am mind, soul AND body. Lord forgive me for treating this temple so casually as though it doesn’t matter. It does matter. You are within. And it really is time to flip that switch.
Meditations from Zion 
Irm, this is so insightful and honest. Thank you for sharing. Change begins with being honest about where we are right now.
I am there with you sister. Let’s take care of this masterpiece.
Honesty and truth: great power there.
This is a beautiful reflection of where I and many others are at. I have been heavy for most of my life, though I was never fat (well until now) but I have always battled with weight. In my early adult years, I began to self-medicate with food. I had no idea I was doing this. I thought I was just hungry. But, now I know the real question, “What am I hungry for?”. Love, respect, appreciation, validation… This year I have started exercising and eating some healthier foods. Its amazing the rationalization that goes on throughout the day. I say, oh I worked out yesterday, I don’t have to do it today. Or I ate healthy for dinner, now I can have a brownie (or two or three). I go to the gym several times each week. The other day, I caught myself in the drive-thru ordering fries just before I went to the gym. I said to myself, what am I doing? Sometimes I stop myself and too many others, I don’t, saying, tomorrow I will do better. Most of the time, I don’t. I can really relate to this whole mindset of cherishing this body that God has given me. After all, he didn’t have to give it to me in the first place. I really pray that I get there. I know it does begin with making conscious choices, every day, which are different from the choices that lead to me being overweight. It is a challenge everyday, one that Paul talked about many years ago in regards to the battle with the body/mind. Its amazing how true those words are today and everyday.
Thanks Tracey B for sharing your story. I remember when I was younger and still smoking but I was in pretty good shape. I decided to dance (aerobics) for a Heart Association fund raiser. I danced straight for four hours. When I got in my car to leave the gym, I pulled out a cigarette. And then that same question popped into my mind: “What are you doing?” And that day I quit. Total clarity. I would like that same clarity for food cravings and addictions. Blessings to you & yours.
Thanks for the challenge. I have made literally a big fat mess of my body. And I am incredibly ashamed of what I have done. I am going to a health program now but is tiny tiny steps as it is difficult to move at over 350 pounds. But grace is given as is joy for the journey and support such as you and Flipping the Switch. I have to begin and that is the key…to begin each day anew. To step into the gym.