From my heart to yours, shopping for a new bathing suit (or two) is not my favorite thing to do. But, before embarking on a cruise to Cuba with one of my girlfriends, I had to pull the trigger. As I tried on several suits, I grimaced and frowned at the reflection in the mirror. I had to remind myself that my body was made special for me by my Creator. That He makes beautiful things; including the female body.
Later that evening, Megan Cox from Give Her Wings posted the following on Facebook: “It breaks my heart when women look at the sky and think, ‘Wow, God is amazing!” But look in the mirror and say, ‘Ugh!’ As if He did not make both.”
Bingo! She’s right on! Growing up, I was a tomboy and more comfortable around boys. As I developed curves, I noticed the boys didn’t treat me as one of them anymore. This upset me and I envied the male form because they were straight up and down with no curves to contend with. And it didn’t help that the models in the 80’s and 90’s were stick thin...think Twiggy and Kate Moss. It took me many years to love my body just the way it is. I give most of the credit to my late husband for teaching me how to love, honor and respect my body.
Father God, our bodies are fearfully and wonderfully made! (Psalm 139:14) You created the male and the female body in Your Image (Genesis 1:27) You allowed my body to carry two beautiful children to term. With my body, I can walk and talk; eat and drink; laugh and play. Thank You for making the male and female form in Your Image. (Genesis 1:27) And one day, I will have my permanent body! One that will be like Yours in heaven. A body that will never get sick and die. Thank You Jesus!
It is the same way with the resurrection of the dead. Our earthly bodies are planted in the ground when we die, but they will be raised to live forever. Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength. They are buried as natural human bodies, but they will be raised as spiritual bodies. For just as there are natural bodies, there are also spiritual bodies. (1 Corinthians 15:42-44)