(By Heather Marshall)
Have you reflected on how you’re doing in your body as we head into this new year? If so, I wonder if one of the following statements might represent what your assessment has found.
I am out of shape.
I am weak.
I am always tired.
If you find yourself thinking any one of these or other similar statements about your body, you are not alone. I have been there along with most of the population, if the number of people who join the gym or start a new diet on January 1st is any indication.
The interesting thing about these body self-assessments is that they generally reveal an area of lack, somehow you feel you are falling short of a standard.
Friend, what is this standard that you are measuring yourself against?
Is it the world’s standard of beauty or is it God’s standard? God’s standard says that you are beautiful and that you are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14).
Yes, our bodies are God’s good creation but they have also been impacted by our fallen sinful nature. As a result, we can experience failings in our bodies (eg. sickness, pain, fatigue, etc.). Our sin nature can also influence us to value society’s view of how our bodies should look and thus leave us feeling like we fall short and need to do something to change how we look.
Either way, we end up feeling a sense of lack with respect to our bodies. I have found that when I start to feel insecure in my body, it helps to meditate on how there is no lack with God.
In his gospel, John the apostle brings out seven “I AM” statements that Jesus made during his ministry on earth. These statements draw our minds back to the Old Testament when God appeared to Moses in the burning bush and called Himself “I AM” (Exodus 3:14). It was God’s promise that His presence was everything that we needed.
In making the “I AM” statements, Jesus was personalizing God’s promise and giving us examples that we can relate to as humans.
“I AM the bread of life” (John 6:35). Bread is a source of nourishment and energy. Jesus is our daily source of life and vitality, He satisfies every hunger and meets every need.
“I AM the light of the world” (John 8:12). Jesus brings light to this world, there is no darkness where He resides. If you notice light in the world, it is Jesus.
“I AM the Good Shepherd” (John 10:11). Jesus laid down His life to save us from our sins and now He leads us through life as a shepherd leads his sheep.
“I AM the gate for the sheep” (John 10:7). Jesus is the way for us to enter into the presence of God, He gives us access to the Father so we can live in intimacy and relationship with Him.
“I AM the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). Jesus gives us fullness of life in the present and the future. Death or anything else in this world (including any challenges we have with our bodies) have no hold over us.
“I AM the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6). Jesus is the only way to heaven, to the place that He has prepared for us.
“I AM the true vine” (John 15:5). Jesus is the vine and we are the branches, as we abide in Him, He produces His fruit in us.
Friend, as we head into this new year I pray that whatever lack you may be feeling in your body may be surpassed by the knowledge that with Jesus, the “I AM,” you have more abundance than you could ever know.
Father, thank you that you know my struggles and the insecurities that I feel in my body. This world wants me to stay stuck in this mindset of inadequacy and to continue striving for something that is only vanity. Please help me to know that I am your good creation and that I am not lacking but rather am filled with abundance in You. Please lead me in your truth as I seek to care for my good body this year. Amen.
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