My eyes were swollen shut and I had hives – that was how I woke up yesterday morning just before
5 a.m. Hmmm.
Look at this verse from this coming Sunday’s Second Reading:
I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1
I must admit, that got me giggling a bit. I don’t think God wanted anything to do with my body yesterday – I looked like a monster.
Seriously though, have you ever thought of offering up your body as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God?
I am in my 50’s now, am around 20 pounds overweight, and am not in the physical shape I used to keep myself in. I completed an Olympic Distance Triathlon on August 19th.
Starting with the swim my mind became full of doubt that I could do it. Then on the bike, more doubt came. And as I started the run, cramps in my legs made me doubt I could finish.
How did I get myself across the finish line? Offering my body as a living sacrifice to God and hoping I am holy and pleasing to Him.
With each thought of doubt during that race, I countered with thoughts of God.
“Lord, I offer myself as a sacrifice for the people of Maui.”
“Lord, I offer myself as a sacrifice for ….. who is suffering…..”
“Lord, help me to be in this moment, feeling all that my senses are experiencing.”
I can’t tell you what an amazing experience that triathlon was, not just because I did cross that finish line, but because how amazing it was spiritually.
Our bodies aren’t perfect. We age. We fall out of shape. We get illnesses or injuries. But with our faith, our bodies, exactly where they are at, can be living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God.
Blessings of being holy and pleasing to God!