Few women are content with their bodies - even the most beautiful movie stars, such as Julia Roberts, have had stand-ins for certain scenes. Our culture bombards us with the message that we need to buy something to make ourselves more attractive.

There's ads for losing 10 pounds in 10 days, how to look younger, have glowing skin, prettier eyes, plumper lips, glossier hair - you name - they sell it!

The message of the world YOU MUST NOT AGE!

But...we ARE aging!

As our spirit matures --our body matures and when we die - our body goes into the grave but our spirit will go to heaven to be with God. Isn't that mind blowing!!!

Just as we sow a tiny sunflower seed in the ground and reap a huge beautiful flower - when we die, our bodies will be planted in the grave and our new heavenly bodies will be vastly different than the seed that was planted. This is marvelously explained in I Corinthians 15.

"When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or of something else. But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body. (37,38)...

There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another(40)...

So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.(42-44)"

When we place our faith in Christ and are born again - the Holy Spirit comes to reside inside of us. So inside of our bodies reside our spirit AND the Holy Spirit. Our body is just a container to hold them both. Should we take care of this container? Absolutely - it is not our own - it was bought with a price - the price of Jesus' blood on the cross.

God uses our eyes and ears - to bring his word to our spirit, he uses our hands to serve others, he uses our feet to bring the good news of Jesus to others, he uses our mouth to worship him, encourage others, and train our children. He uses our body to minister to our husband -- if you know what I mean {*wink wink*}!!!

Psalm 139:14 says we are wonderfully and fearfully made. But magazines make us despise the way we were made and long for something different in the mirror. We must stop tearing our bodies down - and start praising the Lord for the way our body has helped us experience and enjoy the blessings God has given us.

If you are reading this - your heart is beating - thank you Jesus. your lungs are working - thank you Jesus. your eyes can see - thank you Jesus. your hands can type - thank you Jesus. Your body has served your spirit well thus far! Thank you Jesus!

Aging -- is a part of God's plan that we cannot change.

And yet the magazines...they discourage us. They make us feel discontent. They make us focus on beauty only --but there is a spiritual side we must never forget.

Our bodies are only a seed that will one day be exchanged for a glorious new one. Until then, most evenings after the kids are in bed, you can find me on my elliptical getting my heart rate up. I want to take care of this container so I can serve God with full energy and zip till he calls my spirit home!

Chime In: Do you struggtle with aging? What are some ways you have found peace with the process?

Walk with the King!