Tending the Temple

Imagine that you own an awesome car—the most fantastically created one-of-a-kind vehicle ever made. Its stellar reputation is based on the fact it was made by the number-one manufacturer of all time. You enjoyed the car at first, getting to know it; finding out how it works. Then, after a time, you began to take it for granted.  Instead of filling the tank with premium gasoline, you began to put in a low grade fuel with bad chemicals sometimes mixed in with it. At first you used the highest grade motor oil to keep it running smoothly. Now, you use old recycled oil. The regular check-ups and tune-ups the manufacturer recommends? Too much time and effort! Tires?  Cheap will do. And, driving? Well, here’s the thing—you are always in the car. You drive it constantly, often at very high rpm’s, slowing down only occasionally.

With that kind of care and treatment, how long do you think your fantastic car would stay fantastic? Probably not very long! It would begin to wear down and perform badly. The engine wouldn’t run well because of the fuel quality. Without tune-ups, it begins to make funny noises and some not so funny. After a while, you have the mere shell of what was once amazingly useful, now unable to perform as it was meant to.

 Most of us really wouldn’t treat any car that way, much less one that special. However, we do often treat our own bodies that way, not tending to our “temples” or “earthen vessels” as we should. (See 1 Cor. 3:16-17 and 2 Cor. 4:7.) God has given each of us a “container,” if you will, that houses us during our brief sojourn on earth. Each of us has been individually formed by the Hand of God. Psalm 139 beautifully describes God’s direct work in knitting us together. 

I believe the whole concept of stewardship in the Bible includes the way we treat our temple—our body. To be a steward literally means to manage property that belongs to someone else. In Isaiah 43:1, God says not only that He formed us, but He redeemed us and gave us His Name. We are now His property. We are stewards of the “container” He created just for us.

We are like that fantastically created car that begins to fail if not tended to properly. If we don’t treat our body with reasonable care, it can’t live up to its potential either. We must “tend the temple” in a way that honors it and the One who owns it. I’m not talking about an intense self-focus or preening that takes precedence over all other responsibility. But, I am talking about sensible, godly self-care.

It is so easy to get caught up in the fast pace of this chaotic world that we run from one thing to another with very little time in-between. They may even be all “good things,” nothing inherently wrong or sinful about them. But even too many “good things” can begin to overwhelm us and eat away at our plans for temple stewardship.

Let me ask you some questions about your temple-tending. 

How much sleep are you getting? 

Sleep is restorative; God made it that way. Without it, we can’t function at optimal levels. The actual number of hours needed varies with several factors, but the generally agreed upon standard is still eight hours. How often do you allow yourself that much sleep? 

Sleep deprivation is one of the most common issues in our society today for both adults and children. It causes symptoms of irritability, tiredness, social ineptness and confusion, greater susceptibility to stress and likelihood of buckling with increased stress, problems with memory and concentration, and changes in appetite ( more or less hungry). We also have less control over our emotions and thought life when we are not getting enough sleep.

Many problems or concerns that seem overwhelming when we are sleep deprived become manageable when we get that good night’s sleep. With sufficient sleep, our bodies are restored, our minds can think more clearly, and we can see more possibilities and solutions for dealing with life’s troubles.

Next, how is your diet? 

A diet filled with fast food and over-processed, highly salted or sugared food is a disaster waiting to happen in the form of obesity, diabetes, and other serious health problems. Does your schedule only allow you time to do a drive-through between engagements? Occasionally that can work; but, not as a steady habit. Learning to eat a nutritious, healthy diet is like putting premium fuel in your tank rather than dirty, adulterated gas. It makes a huge difference in the way the engine runs.

OK, last question.  How about exercise? 

When and how often do you exercise? A Pentecostal two-step during the worship service is not an adequate exercise program! Lack of exercise can lead to poor health and accompanying problems. With planned, intentional exercise comes increased blood flow and oxygen to both brain and muscle, helping to fend off the effects of daily stresses. Exercise is one of the very best stress reducers there is.  Join a gym? Maybe, but not necessarily. Just start walking!  Move it!!

It’s easy to say, “Oh, but I don’t have time to do all of that.” “I’m too busy to pay attention to that stuff.” My response? Yes, it takes time and it does take effort. But the rewards of better health, more energy and a higher quality of life are well worth the investment. Our excuses remind me of the old “I’m so busy I don’t have time to pray” thing. When we make time to pray, we get more done. And, when we make time to take care of ourselves, we get more done more effectively.

Obviously, this brief article cannot provide all the answers. Many books and resources are available to guide us in how to better “tend the temple” and bring it to optimal health and energy. Since our bodies are also in the “fallen state,” disease and disability do happen sometimes, regardless of the level of care.  But, no matter your current level of health, there are always things you can do to make sure you are taking care of yourself in the best way possible.

The point is:  Notice how you treat your “container” from day to day. Don’t let it be like that awesome car that falls apart because of neglect or poor choices. You can do your part in keeping it in shape.