For centuries, people have been altering their bodies through different means to achieve a certain look. Whether it is to increase beauty, fitness, or change gender, this same pursuit can be observed worldwide, and even more so in a wealthy nation like America.
People go to great lengths to change their appearance, investing their time and money. Certainly, the rich can afford the often-high cost of some procedures but sadly those in the lower class spend the money that they don’t have to reach these goals as well.
These days, we often hear about people going through minor, sometimes major, and some very delicate surgeries, because they don’t like what they see in the mirror. These procedures include cutting off or adding something, injections, fillers, implants of all kinds, sculpting, freezing, etc.… Some of the most popular goals are: smaller nose, bigger lips, wider eyes, bigger breasts, rounded buttocks, smaller waist, muscle implants, jaw and penile augmentation, etc. For those who go under the knife, there is sometimes swelling at the site, pain, or at least discomfort in the hours or days following the procedure. Not to mention, the healing process and the meticulous care to avoid permanent scars. And this is for people who have got some work done.
But it’s worth mentioning another group: the ones who don’t care about the above route but spend hours of rigorous training at the gym and eat a very well-planned diet, some restrictive but healthy, and others to the point of malnutrition just to get the desired body. Very often, people –particularly women– jump from diet to diet, to get the “Beach Body” by or before summertime. It’s a devoted and passionate search for the perfect physique. To go a little further, some spend daily time in Eastern-style meditation, reciting affirmations, “manifesting” wealth or some other desire. These are the ones going all the way for the body-mind connection and ultimate well-being.
Don’t get me wrong, it is a great thing to want to look our best even in old age. It is commendable to take good care of this body that God gave us, with daily exercise, eating a clean diet, proper rest, and not doing any substance abuse. It is honoring God and the temple we have been given, and even better, when we know God and obey His laws.
Otherwise, what is the use of carving out that beautiful body here and sending it to destruction in the end? It’s nice to be good looking but forgetting the One who made us, is not wise. There can’t be a good outcome with this attitude. For the amount of time and money some people invest in themselves, and none in God, it shows clearly that they don’t care about Him.
In this crucial moment on the Earth, where we are speeding up towards the end, man’s focus is misplaced. Through this post, God is saying to the perfect body seekers:
“You are obsessed with your appearance, but do you remember that I AM the One who gave you this body? Do you also know that I can take it back anytime? You are so eager to make sacrifices to achieve your aesthetic goals, but you have no spiritual ones. You are not willing to sit for 5 minutes to speak with me or read my Word that gives life. There is no desire in you, to come into my presence, to be still and hear my heart. Or is that too much to ask of you?
I, let you have the money, the health, the time, and everything else, but you don’t use them wisely. If only you were interested in meditating on my Word you would produce the changes that count. Your mind is set on the visible and perishable part of you, but you forget to nurture the invisible and eternal one. Know, that only those who follow me, will acquire the changes that truly matter”.
“A voice said, “Shout!”
I asked, “What should I shout?” “Shout that people are like the grass. Their beauty fades as quickly as the flowers in a field. The grass withers and the flowers fade beneath the breath of the Lord. And so it is with people. The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.” Isaiah 40:6-8 NLT
Jesus said the following words to his disciples, but they are valid for everyone, so we can remember that He made us and has power over us.
“Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28 NLT
Furthermore, He gave us a sobering warning, not to put anything or anyone above Him, because this would be a form of idolatry.
“If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it. Matthew 10:37-39 NLT
In his first letter to Timothy, the Apostle Paul had this to say concerning exercise:
“Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. 1 Timothy 4:8-9
Also, it is said in the book of Proverbs that:
“Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised”. Proverbs 31:30
The verse mentions “woman”, but it applies to everyone. So, to finish this topic, I will say: “To care for our body with exercise and good nutrition and enhance its beauty is a good thing but seeking God and knowing Him is the best thing we can do for our lives. After all, we are nothing without Him, but with Him, we can be transformed into the image of Jesus. Those are the changes that count.”
By Nissi, 2-19-25
Remember, God is Love, but He is also Holy and Just. Therefore, He will judge all unrepentant sinners. Turn away from sin and come to Him.
