HOW OFTEN DO WE TALK ABOUT OUR BODIES IN RELATION TO OUR FAITH?
There's more to this conversation than new year's resolutions, diets, and fitness goals. Our body sustains us physically and serves a great purpose spiritually. The same question Paul writes to the believers in Corinth is something we need to be reminded of today:
Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and
was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself (1 Corinthians 16:9).
Read that again. This truth alone changes how we enter the conversation. Our bodies are not just carriers of our organs, our bodies are carriers of God’s Spirit. We are made in God’s image and God’s goodness. He’s entrusted us with our bodies for all of our days on earth and we need to care for it well. Join us as we practice and learn more about honoring our bodies more intentionally.
“I am not merely a soul and spirit, I am an embodied human being.”
- Ruth Haley Barton
PRACTICES
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(Reflection) How have you been ignoring your body? Has there been a “check engine light” that you continue to overlook? In what ways can you pause and listen to your body?
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(Awareness) Pay attention to your energy levels as you engage in various activities. What brings you joy? What drains you?
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(Eating) It is suggested that we chew our food about 32 times before swallowing and most of us are nowhere near that number.. Something you can do everyday is to eat slowly and prayerfully.
RESOURCES
Devotionals:
Articles:
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Flesh-and-Blood Spirituality: Honoring the Body as a Spiritual Practice by Ruth Haley Barton
Books:
Songs:
