One thing that amazes me when I return home to where I was born and raised, The Bahamas, is the U.S. Embassy that has recently been rebuilt. But I share this same wonder when I watch a movie with a protagonist whose life depends on safely reaching the U.S. Embassy. I decided to get curious about this interest. It is about territory. Wherever an embassy is located, it is the sovereign ground of that nation. If that is true of the physical or material world, it may be true also of the spiritual or nonmaterial world. According to Christian spirituality, the kingdom of God is located within these physical bodies. That means the human body is the sovereign territory of God, which is also likened to a temple. Nourishing the temple, therefore, is vital to living abundantly.
Importance of Nourishment—Food and Movement
Many of us know the importance of nutrition. You know the healthy foods to eat. You also probably know how to lose weight. Or understand the importance of exercise. In fact, you also know how to exercise. So, what’s the problem? We live in a world that has disconnected body, mind, and spirit. That thought may not be new to you or surprise you. Culturally, you may have noticed the shift to correct this misguided path to promoting holistic health. Yet, holistic health is still a broad or nebulous area, especially when spirituality comes into play. Why? Because when you attach Christianity to spirituality, it can become more complex, especially for people of faith. But it is vital to understand why these intricacies are significant to living the abundant life.
What’s Religion Got to Do with This
Unfortunately, many people perceive religion as rigid, outdated, and divisive. However, the Latin meaning of religion may shed some light and offer needed clarity. Religion comes from the Latin word ligare, which means to knit or bind together, connecting our body, mind, and soul to its Creator. Hence, as people of faith, our responsibility is to nourish the body—the temple by nurturing its relationship with Christ. Nourishment means giving the body the attention and love to support us on our journey.
Nurturing the body also means befriending it—getting to know it since our soul and the Holy Spirit are contained within it. And the more we understand our body as a friend, it strengthens our relationship with God. The body is not our enemy, but too often, many realize its value only through sickness.
Reclaiming the Space
Getting to know the body is essential to our faith. It is time to reclaim its sanctity. Here at LiveLiving International Foundation, the body (including the mind and soul) is considered sacred territory. For years, the body has been a concern and perceived as unfavorable: “Brother Ass”—as St. Francis called it, or an inferior entity to the soul as believed by St. Augustine. Much work must be done to help us live healthy and thriving lives in these bodies. The body is the abode of the Holy Spirit and the “thin space” that connects us to God. Yet, belief is insufficient. To value the body is also needed.
5 Tips to Remember in Nourishing the Temple
- So, nourish the body by giving it the movement it needs. Remember to take into consideration the amount of sitting you do versus moving. For example, 2 hours of sitting cancels out 20 minutes of cardio.
- Nourish the body by giving it the fruits and fibrous vegetables it needs. Whether you’re doing intermittent fasting, Paleo, vegetarian, or whatever diet you choose, it is vital that these fibrous foods be included in each meal.
- Nourish the brain by giving it inspiration, beauty, or anything positive and true. Remember, “when it comes to positive and negative feelings, the brain responds like an on-off switch: it cannot focus on both simultaneously” (Newberg).
- Nourish the body, mind, and soul by getting 7-8 hours of quality sleep. Remember, sleep is your reset button to restore and recharge all areas of your health—physical, mental, and spiritual.
- Nourish the temple and remember, it is an opportunity given once in a lifetime.
