Embodied: Part 2 - 'Activity'
This Sunday, Simon Lace brings us the talk in the latest of our EBC services. We encourage you to reflect on the bible text and join us in the prayer that follows below.
Here are some questions to consider:
Readings:
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIVUK)
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.
Romans 12 (NLT)
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
Formal Definition of Physical Fitness
The ability to carry out daily tasks with vigour and alertness, without undue fatigue, and with ample energy to enjoy leisure-time pursuits and meet unforeseen emergencies.” (American College of Sports Medicine)
Prayer and Reflection:
Loving God, thank you for the gift of our bodies. Help us to honour you and each other, with the way we use them. Help us to take responsibility for ourselves and to keep ourselves active, well maintained – to make the best of what you have given us, to your glory. Guard us, O God, against vanity and ego in this keep us humble Lord but help us to take pride in looking after ourselves, that we might serve you energetically, vigorously and for many more years than we otherwise could do. For our bodies are given to us by you, and we are not our own. Individually we are parts of one body, together we are that body - the body of Christ, your church. In Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Questions to Consider
1. If you are a driver, or a homeowner, how careful are you about making sure the car, or house, is well maintained?
2. Which is more important… your car, your house, or your body?
3. As you have grown older, what changes do you notice in your physical fitness?
4. Are you aware of people who seem to be physically fitter than others of their age? What do you think makes the difference?
5. Looking ahead, how important is it to you that you remain fit as you age?
6. How important do you think your good health is to your friends, your family, your church… and to God?
7. The best exercise and activity plan is…. the one you’ll do! Could you take time to think and pray about what small, sustainable steps you might take in this area?