By Robin Wiley
Scripture: "Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:31-32.
I have been on this “kick” for about three months to get healthy again. I battled my weight for most of my life; being a range of sizes from 4 to nearly 14. (Yikes!) We all know that being healthy is important for having a long, full life. And there are more and more ways, methods, diets, trends, resources available to us for achieving it.
My constant roller coaster weight problem all has to do with my intentions to exercise and stay disciplined with it. Notice I say “intentions”, which start off being good but somehow take a detour along the way. What I finally realized was that it needed to be a lifestyle, part of my daily/weekly habits to eat healthy, exercise and not worry about whatever weight I am at. After doing it a couple of months, it’s now closer to becoming a way of life for me. So far so good!
Similarly – God’s Word is available to us for daily partaking. Getting our “daily bread” so to speak. “The body is finely tuned and resilient, yet requires proper care and feeding. Similarly, our spirit needs healthy allocations of God’s Word.” (Wisdom Hunters)
Jesus is the Word of God made flesh, so abiding in Him and His word reveals truth. He invites us to depend on Him and know His love. Just like working on eating healthy is a daily choice so is choosing to spend a little more time with Jesus. For me, it’s first thing in the morning with coffee, working on a Jesus First (YouVersion) daily devotional. I’ll admit it’s a struggle sometimes because of all the detractions this world offers. It takes intention and resilience to turn from temptation.
Our spiritual stamina comes from resting in our sweet Savior, where trust and hope grow in understanding His ways. Spiritual nutrition is linked to our spirit, soul and body. Our spirit is eternal destined to be with Jesus. Our soul is our mind, will and emotions and our body the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
So, as we live out the greatest command to love the Lord with our heart, mind, soul and strength, we purify our spirit, heal our emotions, renew our mind, submit our will and discipline our body (aches and pains included!), all for God’s glory. Spiritually healthy Jesus’ followers love others like they care for themselves, something I am focused on.
My new lifestyle includes eating keto type recipes (which Scott is happy about), walking 2 miles and doing functional weight strengthening 3-4 times per week. Keeping my mind and spirit fed by preparing the weekly youth Bible study, other devotionals and also studying 1 Corinthians because our youth are covering it in Sunday School. I can already see and feel the difference both physically and spiritually. It’s worth the effort!!
Prayer
Father God, give me clarity and conviction to be persistent in following the spiritual and healthy plans you have led me on for my life. Keep me focused on finishing the race you had me start - through Christ’s love and in Jesus’ name, amen!