Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God and that you are not your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

I wonder as we enter a new year, how many of us have made New Year’s resolutions that have to do with our bodies? Whether it is to lose weight or eat more vegetables or walk more or drink more water, we all are striving to care for ourselves better. Something about entering the new year, reminds us that there are changes we can enact for our bodies. And of course, how may of us by the end of January say ‘never mind’?

Yet, we care about our bodies as Christians because we know, ultimately, our bodies are a gift from God. We are made in the image of God and we believe our bodies are worthy of care and blessing. It is through these bodies we participate in God’s activity in the world, from the simple daily acts like eating, breathing, bathing, and drinking to those memorable events – riding a bike for the first time, weddings, birth of children, or major illnesses when it fails. It its through these lived experiences we may take the opportunity to honor and care for this gift. Whatever resolution you’ve made this year, may it be something that cares for your body and extend yourself the grace when you need to begin again. Our Lord Christ Jesus entered and lived this life of human bodily existence too, he’s been there and will continue to be with each of us now and always.

Prayer (taken from Way to Live, Leader’s Guide)

God, who knit us together in a mother’s womb, help us to honor what You have made. Let us touch this masterpiece gently, with reverence, with delight, blessing what You have blessed. (You may want to touch each body part as you pray…) The face, for the housing of our thoughts, for the muscles of our emotions. The arms, for embracing what is sacred, for grasping then releasing Your gifts. The belly, for taking in nourishment, and, in some, for the nurture of new life. The thighs, for carrying another’s burden, for pushing off the ground to serve You. The feet, for walking Your paths of peace, for standing on holy ground. God, who forms these inward and outward parts, fill us with wonder at such knowledge, knowledge that we are wonderfully made. Amen.