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Choosing Life
Your healthy lifestyle won’t look exactly like ours or anyone else’s. Yes, there are universal rules about health that we all need to work within, but the day-to-day specifics of what you eat, how you exercise, when you have your quiet time with God, how you make time to rest, and the like will be unique to you. Keep those specifics conducive to your long-range goals. Focus on small steps every day and watch your life transform.
God gave you life so that you can make a difference. As Paul wrote: “I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. But for your sake, it is better that I continue to live. Knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith” (Phil. 1:23–25).
In this passage, Paul is essentially saying that he is choosing life, not just for his own benefit but so that he can positively influence those coming behind him. In the same way, choose life so that you can impact those who have been placed in your path. People who choose to neglect their health, ending up sick and struggling to get through each day rarely have much impact on the world. And dead people have even less. By deciding to get healthy, you are taking a major step toward maximizing the difference your life can make now and in generations to come.
You are stepping away from the patterns and habits that have harmed your health and toward the life you were made for. You have an impact to make on others. You are here for a purpose. Don’t let a lack of discipline in your health sabotage the fullness of life you are intended for. Your family, friends, and community are also legitimate reasons to take care of yourself. You are learning to give of yourself from a place of strength and wholeness. Steward your body, so that you can love your God, yourself and others fully: “The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Is it hard for you to accept that God has work for you to do? If there is anything limiting your trusting God for His good purposes for your life, sit quietly and talk with Him. Listen and ask Him for more faith.
Scripture:
Psalm 6:2 Have mercy upon me, O Lord; for I am weak: O Lord, heal me; for my bones are vexed.
