The Sunday Mail
TODAY is a special day! It is a gift that you have been given and I hope you are taking advantage of it to achieve your goals as well as to improve yourself. This week we want to discuss an interesting topic that I personally think many have been neglecting. Our topic today is “The Body”.Genesis 2:7 says, “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a living soul”.
Many people have the wrong image of the body and in particular of their own body. This leads to abuse and unfortunately many not fulfilling their potential.
Some people see their bodies as sinful and the cause of their downfall. Others hate how they look.
There is also a significant number who have been told they are ugly or have had people make fun of how they look.
If you take look at Genesis 2 you will discover that God planted a garden for the man. The garden was filled with many good trees with good fruit on it.
God told Adam that he could eat of any fruit that he wanted – except one. God not only made the body but also went out of His way to make a provision to sustain and nourish it!
From God’s point of view, the body is not sinful or a trap for the soul. Moreover the body was designed by God, He took His time to form you. You are not just a lump of clay that God absent-mindedly put together.
This is not to say the body is not weak and prone to temptation. Many youths today are engaged in many activities that damage the body, sometimes out of ignorance.
And other instances some actually think they are improving themselves yet they are hindering their destiny.
I like to use the terminology of a fellow pastor who termed this era the age of the FBIs – Former Black Individuals.
Consider young ladies who bleach their skin with harmful creams and substances.
Some even take drugs to enhance their body parts and features. All of this stems from a lack of understanding of the body that God has gifted you with. Those who are more affluent go for plastic surgery or what is now termed “body modification”.
I am not saying you must not go to the doctor to get medication or have surgery to address conditions you might have.
I am speaking to you
who feel the need to alter how you look in order to fit in, make an impression, impress a girl/boy and to look like someone else.
Most times it is not worth it.
There have been cases where some have contracted diseases that result in one taking medication for the rest of their lives, while others have permanently damaged their bodies.
In my opinion the worst damage is the one that is internal where by your soul is so hurt that it is difficult to repair. That is not God’s intention for you. You were made to shine and show the glory of God.
Get me right I am not advocating for you not to be conscious about how you look. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 6:19, “What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?”
Yes, you house the Holy Spirit. Therefore you have to take care of your body. Bath regularly and dress well. Young lady dress like the princess that you are and young man look after yourself as a prince!
Many young people are engaged in booze, drugs, cigarettes, piercings, unusual body art and premarital sex.
All of this has a negative impact on your destiny. If you are not happy with your weight or how you look, do what you can within reason.
Exercise, eat right, visit registered medical practitioners and nutritionists who will advise you on the best way forward.
Pray about your situation and He will answer you and show you how He sees you.
Take care of your body. It is the only one you have. God blessed you with that body and expects you to live the rest of your life with it.
The shape of your nose the size of your ears, your hands, your height, your skin colour, all of this is not by mistake but by design.
David says in Psalm 139:14, “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made . . . ”
God took time to make you. Take care of yourself and allow God to lead you to your place of destiny. Till next week. God bless.
Tinashe Zinyemba is a pastor with New Life Covenant Church. Email feedback at [email protected]
