I received a nicely decorated box some months ago from a well-known Bible publisher. Besides some fashionably-covered Bibles, the contents included a special copy for busy moms, complete with commentary.
I love, love the Word of God, not because I have arrived, but because I often falter along the way, and it is the light that keeps me going and focused on my Goal, Jesus Himself. I was hoping to be able to encourage others with these resources.
This is why I was so very disappointed when I came across the interpretation offered of Romans 12:1
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
According to the commentator, this verse is about taking care of one’s “self,” and it was stated that any act of self-maintenance (eating right, doing one’s hair, going on walks) was also part of being a “living sacrifice.”
I had to read the words over and over again, since I simply could not believe my eyes. Just what did this commentator have in mind? Was the goal seeing women set free through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, or keeping someone reading by appealing to the fallen nature?
There is a study of the psyche, meaning the mind, will, and emotions, that carries with it some little merit, especially for those who don’t know Christ.
But there is a more excellent way, where the psyche is under the command of a new, regenerated spirit.
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Where the Spirit is made new through Christ, the mind, will, and emotions all benefit, and, as the person moves from milk to meat, all is brought into balance. Then there is a health that radiates and beautifies.
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit
I suppose a “busy mom” can seem to be a little neglectful of her outer appearance, perhaps even of her physical health. I found a photo the other day of my children in 1994, just after I had given birth to my 8th child. There was my oldest daughter, then only 10 years old, holding her new-born baby brother, and her younger brothers and sisters sitting and standing around her in stair-step style. In the background could be seen the 8-foot by 11-foot dining room, which also doubled as the center of our homeschooling. Looking back, I am not quite sure how I was able to get everything done then, but somehow I found the time to eat, brush my teeth, curl my hair, and even put on some lip gloss and a quick flick of mascara.
God was more concerned with what was going on inside of me than what was going on with my “outsides.” Even not having the time or the money for official exercise (believe me, I was not sedentary!) was not a concern for me; my eye was set on higher things. Even the Apostle Paul told his spiritual son, Timothy, that godliness was more important than going to the gym (1 Tim. 4:8).
It has never been in the tradition of all of the saints of God to be so concerned with their own lives, it has always been about giving; not self-awareness, but self-forgetfulness. This is understood by the sacrificial lifestyle of Jesus Himself, who:
…made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Our daughters need to know that it isn’t evil to take a shower or to do one’s nails, but a life focused on anything but Christ will never be anything but empty. It is in losing our lives that we find them.
As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
2 Corinthians 6:9-10
