My Body, His Vessel

I was in fifth grade when my desk buddy first put their hand on my thigh and said, “Wow, you have big thighs.” 

I was in seventh grade in the lunchroom waiting in line when my friend said, “Wow, you have the calves of a boy.” 

Of course we were children, but we live in such a culture that I would not be surprised if those same statements were made to me again by people closer to my own age. We are so comfortable making comments on other people's bodies and choices when that should not be the case. We have all been created to reflect God’s beauty and glory and the fact that there are multi-billion-dollar corporations whose main priority is to change our appearance to such an extent that we can barely recognize ourselves is egregious. The fact that we, as Christians, partake in it is even more so. 

I understand, a lot of the time we may not feel worthy of reflecting His image. A lot of the time I am tired and sore and my bones crack in ways I was unaware that they could. But my body is a vessel for advancing God’s kingdom.

 I work full-time in ministry and every day my hands hold the hands of women who suffer emotionally. 

My feet lead my family to church every Sunday setting an example and a standard to which we will live our lives by God’s word. 

My legs allow me to run, and God delights in my finding enjoyment in the movement he has granted me. 

My eyes allow me to see all that I have been blessed with. 

My heart allows me to bless others. 

My brain and hands work together to type all of the thoughts and feelings that I have and God allows me to articulate it in a way that readers understand my intent and heart behind my words. 

My tastebuds allow me to experience the pleasure of an iced coffee on an autumn day or an ice cream after a long run. (Ecclesiastes 9:7) 

My stomach allows me to digest, process, and absorb the nutrients I’ve obtained. It’s not there to be an accessory to my outfit or confined to the restrictions of a girdle or corset. This same belly will one day be the vessel for which I will carry my baby and also teach them how good our bodies are. 

Our sisters, mothers, and daughters are constantly exposed to content online that not only damages the way they see themselves but also the way they see food as nourishment. These videos disguise themselves as ‘What I Eat in a Day’ or ‘Day in the Life of_”. Innocent vlog-style videos of women with sunken eyes and lost souls celebrating their intake of supplements and bone broth and not so subtly bodychecking while doing it. 

They need prayer and reflection, but they are not the enemy. The enemy is the voices in their head telling them that that is the only way to be content with themselves. It aches my heart that their worth is so dependent on variables like views, likes, and reactions from people who do not even truly know them. That same enemy is alive and well in most of our minds at times whispering dirty lies to us about our bodies and our worth. Sometimes truth seems impossible to locate and even when located, harder to believe. 

But we serve a God who calls us by name! Who believes us to be more precious than rubies! He should know, He created us perfectly in his image! Who are we to question such a merciful creator? What makes each of us so special that we are God’s exception? God looks at our heart and not our outward appearance and how generous is it of him to alleviate that pressure off our shoulders? He already knew aesthetics would be a recurring issue and he protects us from that by looking beyond. Our responsibility falls on our own hearts and whether we decide to open that door for Him.