This is the margin I seem to struggle with the most lately. I’ve been sick more than ever before and have had reoccurring back problems. At first I attributed it to my move to a new community, and the changes of being newly remarried, gaining three step kids, getting older, and so forth. However, I’m realizing it has more to do with my resistance to physical limits than anything else.
Are you
like me? When you feel there’s much to do and so little time to get it done, do
you tend to push yourself until you’re so spent you can hardly function? God
has been convicting me, and allowing me to suffer occasional “time outs” of
sickness and pain, to convince me how important it is to operate within the
margins He prescribes for our physical bodies.
Whatever we
do in our Body affects our Spirit (relationship with God) and Soul (relationships
with others). They are intertwined. That’s why when we insist on doing our own
thing instead of God’s, it negatively affects our body (Psa. 38:4-8; Prov.
3:5-8, 4:20-22, 14:30).
The illustration
below shows four biblical margins. In the center are all the hours of the day. On
the sides are the limits God puts on those activities for our health and
safety. If you’re a Christian and have asked Jesus to be Lord of your life, the
first margin belongs to Him. You are His dwelling, His house, His temple, and
the way you care for your body should honor Him. “Do you not
know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you
have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your
bodies” (1 Cor. 6:19-20).
|
GOD’S HOUSE
|
|
FOOD
|
BODY
|
SEX
|
|
EXERCISE/REST
|
|
The second
margin is in our sexuality. The purpose of sex is not just to have babies, nor
is it a diversion, an escape, a weapon, or a form of entertainment. Sexual intimacy
is meant to be a holy union between a man and woman within the covenant of
marriage. Anything else crosses the boundaries God designed and created for the
beauty, pleasure, health, and safety of our physical being. These are just a few
of many scriptures on sexuality (Mal. 2:15; Rom. 13:12-14; Gal. 5:16-21, 6:7-9;
1 Cor. 6:12-20, 1 Thess. 4:3-8).
The third
margin is the area of food. Most of us know what foods and how much we should
eat for good health. However, very few Christians refrain from eating regularly, to practice the spiritual discipline
of fasting. God has urged me forward in this for the last few years, and the
rewards have been tremendous. Because I love to eat and have a history of food addiction,
I did not begin enthusiastically. However, God continued to show me reasons why
I should.
Fasting
benefits the body. Food is the fuel that keeps us going; fasting gives it a
rest from the never-ending job of digestion. But mostly, it benefits the spirit
and soul, giving them victory over the flesh, which always wants to dominate our
actions. It gives us time to focus on prayer, listen for God’s instructions,
and seek Him in earnest. Jesus referred to fasting as a practice His followers would
continue after His return to heaven (Matt. 6:16-18, 9:14-15; Mark 2:18-19; Acts
13:2-3, 14:22-23). If you are considering this, I applaud and encourage you! You
will be blessed immeasurably, and challenged as never before.
The final
physical margin is exercise and rest. Neither one is meant to master us, nor to
be completely ignored. Our bodies are created for both movement and repose. Our
needs change according to our age, our work environment, and our physical
limitations, but obedience to God is imperative, not only for physical health,
but our spiritual and emotional welfare.
Beth, this is so good. Your comments re our bodies, sexuality, food, and exercise are spot on. Fasting is a little practiced discipline in the church but it sharpens the mind and spirit. A greater awareness of self, emotions, and certainly, of God and sometimes of spiritual direction should be expected.
ReplyDelete"God's Chosen Fast," by Wallis might be available at a used bookstore. Isaiah 58 is exhorts us toward right attitudes and actions; otherwise, fasting is just a ritual.
Keep it going!
Thank you, Sam. I appreciate your response. Yes, there are many more benefits to fasting and you've listed some good ones. Also a great scripture on the importance of staying away from legalism. Thank you for the book recommendation. I've heard of that but haven't read it yet. Also, Richard Foster's "Celebration of Discipline" has an excellent chapter on fasting.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your encouragement!