I have always loved January. I wake up on January 1st with joy and anticipation for all that lies ahead in the New Year. The excessive busyness and plentiful food/drink consumption of December are over. I breathe a sigh of relief. Because I normally live in the cold climes of Canada, January also means snow and short daylight hours. This has the natural effect of slowing things down – more time to sit in front of the fire, read, sew, cook slow simmering stews in the oven, and generally rest.
Our bodies need rest.
Our souls need rest.
Our spirits need rest.
Many people start off the New Year with the desire to live a healthier lifestyle and to heal their bodies through a good exercise and diet program from an excess of butter and sugar. Probably 95% of New Year’s resolutions have something to do with this objective. It is a good thing.
Wholeness of Spirit, Soul, and Body
But there are two other important facets of our “being” that need attention. Because of the way that we are created, all three are intrinsically connected (at least here on earth).
“Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.” 1 Thess.5:23
Spirit
God woos us by His Spirit and when we believe, we are reborn. Our spirits are made alive to God and to spiritual things – awakened to the truth of God as the Holy Spirit reveals life through his Word. We communicate with God, spirit to Spirit.
One of the things that He tells us is that we are His children (Romans 8:16). We need truth in the inmost places of our spirit so that we may grow in wisdom and understanding (Psalm 51:6), so that we may worship Him through our obedience (John 4:24), and that our lives will bear the fruit of His presence (Galatians 5:22-23).
Finish reading at Sweet Jesus Ministries…
