Sculpturing the Body for God

Bodybuilding is the only sport with a sole focus on sculpturing the body. The body can be shaped like a piece of clay though genetics still play a major part in its outcome. Unless you have experienced the ability to chisel muscle into a masterpiece, you have no idea the thrill, the pride, the fulfillment one can feel to look into the mirror and see the actual formation of the human body sans fat. But how narcissistic this sport can be!

Being a former amateur bodybuilder, I have seen the worship of the human body. Though I shared, too, in the enjoyment of this sport, I couldn’t quite bring myself to the point of self-adoration. In other words, I could not worship the creature itself. I had to find my Creator in this beauty. Obviously, if He had created the body, it was art—a beauty to behold. As a result, I found myself admiring the Creator, for what a fine job He did: to have created the human body to be like putty! How amazing! When I stumbled onto Psalm 139: 13-16, these verses became my mantra during the sacrificial times of dieting for a competition.

Thus began my transformation. I had found the scripture verses and memorized them to replace the taunting thoughts of food. In unison, I joined the Psalmist David in praising God. He had “made me in an amazing and wonderful way” (Psalm 139:14). Indeed, what He had done was “wonderful”. Through the love of the Creator’s work, I found my way to worship that involved my entire being. My body worshipped its Creator, connecting with its Maker in a unique way. I felt Him in me, in my blood as I contracted each muscle: “for in Him [I] live and move and have [my] being” (Acts 17: 28). I was alive! Aware! That I was His “masterpiece” (Ephesians 2: 10).