For you created my inmost being; you knit me in my  mother’s womb. I praise you because I  am fearfully made…my frame was not hidden from you when I was made in that secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. Psalm 139:13-16.

Some years ago, God spoke to me through this passage about the marvel of the physical body – my own body, in particular. The body is a divine masterpiece, planned ages in advance, made of materials formed in the secret depths of the earth and knit together in the womb by the Creator’s invisible hand. I became concerned that I treat this masterpiece of my body with the care and hour due it; that I maintain it in the best possible condition to fulfill its God-appointed function.

Again and again throughout history, men have sought to construct a building to accommodate God. They have lavished time, labour and wealth upon it. At best, however, such a building can serve as a place to offer worship, never as God’s  dwelling. “The Most High does not live in houses made by men” (Acts 7:48).

God has a different plan. At the beginning of human history, he fashioned a temple for Himself with His own hands: the body of man. Then He worked out the plan of redemption by which that body, sanctified by faith in Christ’s sacrifice, could be offered back to Him to be a temple of the Holy Spirit.

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit,  who is in you, whom you received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price . Therefore honour God with your body” (1 Corinthians19-20).

MY THOUGHTS

At the beginning of human history, God fashioned a temple with his hands, whereas the physical building of a church is a place of worship, which God cannot dwell in. God’s spirit des come and flow a mist the believers, but when everyone departs, God departs. He comes to meet us in church as well as anywhere that we call upon yhe name of Jesus. God’s dwelling place however is our bodies, because he lives in our hearts.

As I read this message, some job descriptions and requirements went through my mind. Some of the qualifications they asked for was a physical avbled body thst could withstand harsh conditions.  What if God needs you to travel somewhere dangerous,  will your body be sble to take it? What foods and toxics do you allow your body to take? Keeping God’s dwelling place is not judt about abstaing from fornication, dressing it up and covering it. Thses things do matter very much, but in what condition do you keep it? I didn’t realise how terribly I had been mistreating my body till I went through surgery. I was told if I had waited any longer, my knee would have had to be amputated.  What would I have accomplished if God had called me to live in hard situations?  I began maintaining my body in a manner that was suitable for a princess and strong enough for a warrior. I am still on that quest, rebuilding the weakened muscles on my knees that were damaged through years of torment in sports.  I never liked fresh milk, but that has been placed in my diet.

Spiritually, I have been looking at my attitude towards people and my reaction to things they d and say to me. There are moments I think a good punch will put them down for God, but God’s voice inside of me and his wisdom tell me otherwise.  I have learn to filter what I watch, so it does not define my thoughts and actions.

Faith’s response: Help me Lord to maintain the temple of my body in a condition that honours you.