God in my Everything - Bodies

How would you describe your relationship with our own body ? What does a healthy relationship to food, exercise, and sleep look like ? We seem to live in a time of extremes when it comes to body image. Today we ask five difficult questions to help you get a handle on just where you are in your relationship with these things, and we look at four scriptures that help set the boundaries for a more joyful life inside your own body!

Ecclesiastes 9:7-10

7 Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for it is now that God favors what you do.    8 Always be clothed in white, and always anoint your head with oil.  9 Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love… 10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might…

2 Peter 3:17-19

17 These men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. 18 For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error.  19 They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity– for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him.

Matthew 6:16-17

16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Hebrews 12:5

11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. 12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13 “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

Write a rule of life for yourself that is short, attainable, challenging, and fits who you are and where you are in life. Here is mine:

Every day I will strive to:

        Spend Time With God

        Plan for my deep duties & joys

        Break a sweat

 What if that was enough? What if doing these few things meant a day well spent, a life well lived?   What if these were your primary appointments and everything else that seems so important had to fit around them? What if you gave yourself permission to live this way – how would it change the rhythm and feel of your life?

This sermon series draws upon the work of Ken Shigematsu and his book, “God in my Everything” You can see it here:
https://www.amazon.com/God-My-Everything-Ancient-Rhythm/dp/0310499259/