Caring for Yourself

I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Romans 12:1

Paul was like a father to his protégé, Timothy. And one of the things that concerned him most was that he look after himself. With safe drinking water difficult to find, Paul urged the young pastor to drink some wine to keep himself in decent shape (see 1 Timothy 5:23). He didn’t think that caring for our physical bodies was a waste of time or a vanity. On the contrary, maintaining our physical health is an important part of maintaining our spiritual health. Paul wanted to see Timothy flourish, and in flourishing, to serve others more effectively.

How would you rate yourself at taking care of your body? Does your level of rest or fitness hold you back from serving God?

Sharing

Then David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel. 2 Samuel 5:12

Say you just got a promotion at work, bought a new house or earned your PhD. God has blessed you. Now what are you going to do with that blessing? God made David king so that he could bless God’s people. God expects us to use what we’ve been given to help others too. Why did God bless you? Perhaps you got a raise so you could give more generously to a ministry. Perhaps he gave you a home so you could welcome others into it. Only when you look beyond yourself will you be able to see God’ s greater purpose.

What blessings has God given you? In what ways are you using your gifts for the Giver of gifts?

Prioritizing

Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.Ephesians 5:15–16

As you get older, life gets more complicated. Demands on your time and attention continue to mount, and there’s never enough time or energy in a day to get to everything. Do you find yourself longing for a simpler life? When all is said and done, the focus of your life should be to love God and love others. Do the things that fill your heart, life and schedule reflect those priorities? By discovering and focusing your energy on what God considers most important, you begin to find clarity and purpose for each day of your life.

Based on how you spend your time, what would an outside observer conclude your priorities are in life? What are some realistic, practical ways to make God your highest priority?