From the inside out.

Imagine if God gave you a plant and told you to nurture and care for it because one day, it will bear fruit that will feed many and sustain life. What would you do? I personally don't have a green thumb and I've killed more plants than I'd like to admit, but I would guard that thing with my life. I would make sure it was getting the right amount of nutrients from the soil, sun, and water, giving it all the care and attention that it deserves so that one day, when God calls upon that plant, its fruit would be plentiful to nourish as many people as possible.

Well, the same can be said about you, my friend. Whether you realize it or not, God is using you as a vessel to nourish the people around you for His glory. You were put on this earth at this point in time for a divine purpose. A purpose that can only be recognized and capitalized if you realize it and actively pursue it. In order to truly realize it, our spiritual health must be in good shape, allowing us to draw near to God with intention. In order to capitalize on it, we need to be mentally healthy and physically able to live a life capable of serving as the hands and feet of Jesus. So why is it that we struggle to care for our own spiritual, mental, and physical health? By not caring for our physical health, we are neglecting our mental health. When our mental health is neglected, inevitably so is our spiritual health. It’s all connected.

Not only that, but as Christians, we are called to be living stewards of the Holy Spirit. When we accept Christ as our Savior, God lives in us, and doesn’t He deserve the best that we have to give? This involves taking care of our bodies in a way that honors Him. Be physically active, eat food that nourishes you, get adequate sleep and rest, and manage your stress in healthy ways.

The actions that we take and the words that we speak should be life-giving to those around us. But we can’t really accomplish this until we take steps to be our healthiest selves physically, mentally, and spiritually. If you’re not taking care of the body that God has given you, what are you waiting for? Being physically capable to exercise is a gift from the God who created you, not a punishment! Start nourishing your mind, body, and spirit today, so that God can use you to nourish the people you love tomorrow.

“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.” - Romans 12:1