Temple Maintenance

Whether it is early morning, midday, or late evening, there are always thoughts toward temple maintenance. The thoughts range from: when will I be able to exercise and fit it in today; maybe I will get a walk in during lunch; I have to make sure I take my medicine; how many carbs was in that dish; did I have enough protein or water today; how much do I weigh this morning; or I have to make sure I ‘do’ my insulin shot. Then there is a temple to-do list: brush the teeth, comb the hair, moisturize the body, clip the ends, shave the legs, pluck the chin hairs, wax the axilla (armpit), etc., etc. Whew! That’s enough, but certainly not all. Did you experience a level of exhaustion at the thought? Well… I did!

With each passing day, the thought of one day not having to exert another ounce of energy toward this cycle of maintenance on this physical body makes me long for my new domain, my new glorified body and heavenly home. I rejoice in 1 Corinthians 15:41-49: “⁴¹ The sun has one kind of glory, while the moon and stars each have another kind. And even the stars differ from each other in their glory. ⁴² It is the same way with the resurrection of the dead. Our earthly bodies are planted in the ground when we die, but they will be raised to live forever. ⁴³ Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength. ⁴⁴ They are buried as natural human bodies, but they will be raised as spiritual bodies. For just as there are natural bodies, there are also spiritual bodies. ⁴⁵ The Scriptures tell us, “The first man, Adam, became a living person.” But the last Adam—that is, Christ—is a life-giving Spirit. ⁴⁶ What comes first is the natural body, then the spiritual body comes later. ⁴⁷ Adam, the first man, was made from the dust of the earth, while Christ, the second man, came from heaven. ⁴⁸ Earthly people are like the earthly man, and heavenly people are like the heavenly man. ⁴⁹ Just as we are now like the earthly man, we will someday be like the heavenly man” NLT Hallelujah!!!

There will be no more physical maintenance with this promised splendor. God is amazing with His grace in how he has given us rest from what can seem so taxing at times. It is all well in good when the thought leads me to praise God. However, when the thought causes me to setup any type of drudgery with this temple, I must change my perspective and then rejoice over the maintenance that is needed not only to keep the temple fueled for kingdom building matters but also to keep my personal walk free of sin, either outside or against the body. Simply saying, I must keep my body healthy and free from sin.

In this, I rejoice. My body is pure because of the blood of Jesus, but I must walk in that pureness without sinning. After all, that is my God-given assignment. “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God brought you with a High Price, so you must honor God with your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19 NLT

I pray that these words encourage you to put a spring in your step as it has mine. I am ready for a day of physical and spiritual maintenance to exert as much energy needed for me to go about whatever assignment God has for me. Maybe I can spread some cheer today along with the gospel.

Pray with me: Heavenly Father, Jesus our Lord, thank you for my body, help me not to complain about it or any activity that I have to do to maintain it. Please forgive me when I go too far in my thinking that leads me away from rejoicing about the future with you to complaining about the present. Help me to have balance in all of my thinking. Help me not spend more time cleaning my earthly house than my/your temple. After all each activity for your temple is to honor and glory you. Oh Lord, give me the energy needed for this day and every task called to do today. Help me not drag, but put a pep in each of your ordered steps and if I should misstep, slow me down or trip me up to keep me on the straight and narrow. Help me to honor and obey you, especially when I am weak, disbelieving, and disobedient. Thank you Lord for your forgiveness and your grace. In Jesus’ might majestic name, I pray this prayer, amen.

The journey flows…