My daughter, Laura, bought me a “Fit Bit” for Father’s Day. A FitBit is a little device that helps to monitor your activity level, eating and other areas of your health. It works wirelessly and somehow records all the information and transposes it onto the application on your computer. It is really amazing and helpful in comparing one day of activity to another. Of course, like anything, you have to use it for it to be effective!

It is wise to be mindful of our physical health. I remember sitting in the waiting room of the orthodontist some years ago when our kids were getting their braces. On the wall he had a sign that read: “If you find it annoying to take care of your teeth now they won’t be around to bother you later.”

Good point.

We are often reminded, in many ways, some humorous and some not so funny, that our bodies are machines that need to be taken care of. And when we neglect the care of our bodies and our body parts, we risk all types of health problems ranging from gingivitis to diabetes to heart disease. So it is wise to take stock on how well we are treating our bodies and if we are carefully feeding it the right foods, exercising it regularly, and giving it the needed rest it requires. In light of the Scriptural command to honor our bodies, we have a great responsibility when it comes to bodily care. Paul writes
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; You were bought at a price. Therefore, honour God with your bodies.” (I Corinthians 6:19-20).

While there is much written, and deservedly so, about physical health, we are also to feed, exercise and rest our spirits and souls as well. Our spirit is our life source, our connection to God. Some have described our spirits as the “true self made in the image of God.” Our souls have within them the functioning of our personality, our intellect, our wills, emotions and knowledge – what we commonly call our minds. Although not so easily compartmentalized and segregated, we are distinctly triune, (spirit, soul and body) again made in the image of our triune God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). Our spirit, soul and body work interchangeably…what affects one affects the other. Good health will have a positive effect on our spirit and soul and vice a versa. Depression will wreak havoc on our spirits and bodies. A worshipping spirit will lift up our bodies and souls And when all three are engaged together we are in a truly blessed state of communion.

Soul and spirit care must be intentional. We must learn to feed on the Word of God, enjoy the fellowship of friends and family, rest in prayer and reflection and offer our selves in service. We must be mindful of God’s continual presence, recognize boundaries, learn to say no and renew our thinking. When we exercise we must realize it is not only a physical experience. When we worship we are not to leave out the involvement of our bodies. Learning to keep Sabbath, finding times of quiet throughout a day and filling our minds with the positive attributes of God will refresh, renew and rebuild us. Jesus often found time to remove from the crowd and go off to solitary places. David reminds us in the Psalms to be still before the Lord. We do violence to our spirit and soul when we neglect caring for them. Every day.

And they can become sick too.
And they can atrophy, like neglected muscles.
And they can become lifeless couch potatoes.

So take care of your body. And take care of your spirit and your soul. Is there a Spirit and Soul FitBit on the market yet?

What do you think?
How does it make you feel?

Shalom,

Steven

Note: I am actually interested in hearing what you think and feel. Your responses are appreciated. And they are private. So feel free to respond with your thoughts and your own reflections to What Do You Think?