"Body"

Sometimes before I’m out of bed,

Parts of me still hurt,

Before my morning coffee,

And my feet hit the dirt.

The joints and muscles say things,

That I cannot repeat,

And when they do I wonder,

If I can get relief.

I feel those times I bucked off,

And back then hit the ground,

I thought I was bulletproof,

But now pain comes around.

Thank God for the Advil,

And that Absorbine, too,

You put it all together,

To help you to get through.

And I watch my diet,

And stretch and exercise,

I’ve lost the extra poundage,

And trying to be wise.

And I can still do most things,

That I could ever do,

It’s just I’m more deliberate,

‘Bout everything it’s true.

And one more thing I’m thinkin’,

‘Bout healthy, fit and strong,

That’s realize your body,

To the Good Lord does belong.

And if you let Him have it,

And every part of you,

He’ll fill you with His Spirit,

And overflowing, too.

Our bodies are His temple,

In us His choice to live,

And He is waiting for us,

Our bodies just to give.

“…give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you…” (Romans 12:1, NLT)

The best response we can make to God’s blessing of grace is to give our bodies to God. It’s the ultimate act of worship, and satisfies Jesus’ requirement that true worship should always be in Spirit and in truth. How? When we surrender control of our bodies to God, He possesses us with His Spirit. Our bodies become His temple, and He can then manifest the life of Jesus through us. Giving our bodies to God satisfies the truth standard for worship because it cuts through all superficial activities and words given in God’s name. When you honestly surrender control of your body and yourself to the Lord, it’s the most truthful, life-changing thing you can do. All of a sudden it’s not about your intentions or apologies or promises. It’s about giving over control of yourself to Him. And He will always take what we give Him. Give your body. You won’t be sorry.

Lord, we give our bodies and ourselves entirely to You, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Grant Redden, used by permission. Thanks, Grant, and God bless you.