"Softened to Death"
by Tom Goodman
January 11, 2007

In a recent article, Tamara Quintana asked an important question:

Can you honestly say, “Here am I, Lord, send me?”  Think a minute before you answer.  Maybe you can say, “Yes, I’m spiritually ready,” but what about physically?  Do you take care of yourself in such a way that you are physically ready to do whatever God asks?

If we leaders are going to have the energy and longevity that’s needed to really make an impact on this world, we need to take seriously what 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says:  “Do you not know that your body is a temple 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 honor God with your body.”

Does your body honor God?  The host of a talk show asked a five-year-old boy if he had any pets.  “Well I used to have some fish, but my little sister poured water softener in the tank,” he said.  Then he added, “I guess they got softened to death.”

Let’s make sure we’re not getting softened to death through lack of discipline.  Quintana says:

As Christians, we’re supposed to be the salt and light to the world.  But can the world really see a difference in us when we’re overweight and out of shape?

Because I believe I can’t be the kind of servant God wants me to be unless I take care of myself, I have committed to honor God with my body.  That doesn’t mean I plan to starve myself or work out eight hours a day to get the body of a 20-year-old supermodel.  What it does mean is that I carefully consider the foods I put into my body, and I make exercise a regular part of my life.

If you feel you need to improve your physical condition, ask God to help.  Ask him to reveal areas where you need to change and to give you the energy and desire to commit to that change.

God has given us the tools we need to serve him in an effective ministry, yet many of us choose to ignore this.  Can you truly say, “Here am I, Lord, send me” if you limit him by choosing to ignore your health?

The first few weeks of a new year is a good time to ask if there are any changes we need to make in order to give our best to God’s work.

—Tom

P.S.  If you’re looking for help making healthy choices, join First Place on Sunday nights at 5:30pm.  This program is co-led by a personal trainer and a nutritionist.

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