Picture a Christian. What does he/she look like? Sit and think about it for a minute. Did you picture an attractive person who is in good shape? Neither did I. Based on my encounters over the years, I automatically picture someone who is thirty to forty pounds overweight and isn’t doing anything about it.
God tells us in First Corinthians that our bodies are the temple the Holy Spirit who lives within us. We are ordered to honor God with our bodies. Christ lives WITHIN US! Despite that, we consume massive quantities of unhealthy foods all in the name of “fellowship”. We crack jokes about it when we’re around other people. We don’t exercise and use the excuse that it takes away from time with our families. Well, they should be exercising, too! If you don’t care of your temple, who will? Will you be surprised and angry at God one day when you get adult-onset diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, or something else that was completely preventable? Taking good care of yourself is not merely suggested by God, it is MANDATED.
Another verse tells us “whatever you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do ALL to the glory of God.” Why does it specifically mention eating and drinking? How can you honor God with what you eat and drink, anyway? Just pray before you eat it? Do you sit down at McDonald’s and ask God to bless that Quarter Pounder to the nourishment of your body? Eating to the glory of God means eating something that is good for your temple. Eating wholesome, nutritious foods that will nourish your body and give you strength and energy to get out in the world and tell others about Christ. The whole reason we are on this Earth is to lead others to Christ, to further God’s Kingdom. Nothing else matters. Nothing. But how can we fully expect to have the energy and focus to do that when we are pumping our bodies full of preservatives, unhealthy fats, chemicals, and processed junk?
Recently after several months of eating healthy, nutritious foods, I spent about three days eating all the stuff I used to eat. Whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. I was really looking forward to enjoying some pizza, cookies, burgers, cake, and all the other ‘goodies’ I used to have on a somewhat regular basis. I quickly found that I was lethargic, sleepy, and unable to focus at work. I felt unattractive, bloated, weighed down, and frumpy. I couldn’t wait to finish that last day and get back to eating healthy! I gained about 13 lbs in those three days, and although quite a bit of it was water weight that I quickly dropped, about five pounds of it is solid fat.
I am just amazed at people who have filled their lives up so much (usually with things that really aren’t important from an eternal perspective) that they are now unable to take care of themselves, and often, their children. It’s heartbreaking, and their children are bound to repeat it. We as the Body of Christ should set the example. We should take better care of ourselves than anybody else. Then when people ask us what we’re doing, why we’re doing it, or even just compliment us on our healthy lifestyle, it opens a door for us to tell them about Christ. What a great opportunity.
