Day 5: Body and Spirit
Day Five. I’ve learned to embrace the physical benefits of fasting. After the first few days, I usually feel amazing. Strong, clean and empowered. I’ve been making a distinction between flesh and spirit as I share this journey. God makes this distinction in his word, and it’s wise to understand how the flesh works against the spirit. However, I believe our God created beings are whole.
The body and spirit as one.
Our spiritual beings are physical, mental and emotional. And though we speak of them separately, they are really one. They are all a part of the spiritual. Our flesh that works against our spirit is the sad reality of a broken, sinful world.
Sin divides.
It compromises the wholeness of our beings, and our flesh succumbs to pleasures of the earth.
But our bodies were fearfully and wonderfully made. They were intended for good.
These bodies so full of life, yet sinful and dying, become the humble temple, the dwelling place for God’s spirit. And though one day these bodies will become dust, while we breathe life on this earth they are holy.
The body of Christ is holy. We are the body of Christ.
God’s call to fast is a holistic way to engage the body. It’s intended to bless the whole of us. I am amazed at how the body cleanses, rejuvenates and sustains during fasting. Where at first I felt guilty of this physical benefit, I now receive it as a provision from the One who created my inmost being and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
Sadly, this particular fast is different. I’m not experiencing physical benefits. In fact, I’m miserable and tired. I suffered bronchitis the week prior. I started the fast still on antibiotics and weaker than I realized. And now I have a cold! I’ve considered ending the fast early. The headache is terrible….but still my mind is sharpening. And I am sustained by the truth I hear from God. Truth for my children.
To help me endure, my sweet husband made me homemade chicken and vegetable broth. I’ve taken medicine and drank a lot of organic juice. And only today have I realized that I haven’t stopped to ask God to heal me. I laugh at this irony. I’m in the middle of a fast — praying and searching in hunger — and I failed to call upon the One that heals.
And so on my knees I go. May God restore me – body and spirit.
