The Good Life of Georgia

By Jonathan Tolbert

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Would you consider lifestyle choices such as exercise, eating nutritious foods, drinking lots of water, and getting good rest and sleep an act of worship?  Lately, that has been my conviction.  The Bible teaches us to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.”  It is my newest conviction that the general way I have been eating, drinking, my inactivity, and my sleeping habits have not been done in such a way to love God.

It’s not as if I started out saying “I want to love God in every area but this.”  It really has been my lack of care in putting all my life, even my health condition, under the watch and care of my Creator.  So, instead of saying “this is health food,” or “this is exercise,” or “this is denying myself something I enjoy,” I can have this new perspective: I am honoring the gift of life and health by taking care of the body God has given me.  I have no model but the Lord to compare myself to.  Would Jesus eat birthday cake?  If it were to spend time with someone who needed him, then I believe yes!  Would Jesus eat ice cream every night before going to bed?  Probably not; He truly desired to do the will of God.  Anything that weighed Him down, that impaired His ability to serve His Father, He would have cast it aside as a distraction.  Jesus showed us how to take our emotional needs to our Heavenly Father rather than the refrigerator, the nearest fast food restaurant, or to our stimulant of choice (legal or illegal).

Have I arrived at the health condition that God would have me?  No!  But, through reading the Bible and supplementing its wisdom with Christian authors, doctors, and nutritionists, I have learned some new things and have began my journey to wellness.  Will I be completely well at some point?  I do not think that is possible.  It is not even my goal.  The Bible teaches that “Whether we eat, or drink or whatever we do, do it all to the glory of God.”  The follower of Christ is taught to bring glory to God in all areas of life: heart, soul, mind, and body.

So what can I pass on to you today?  A diet plan?  A book to read?  The perfect way to eat, drink, and exercise for optimum health.  There is a myriad of choices in our technologically advanced world.  Most things are common sense.  We just do not have the proper perspective or motivation.  God gives His followers so much freedom in life.  With that freedom comes a God-given stewardship… a stewardship of our body.  You probably know that eating whole grains, fruits and vegetables, mostly water to drink, low cholesterol fat and oils such as olive oil, and moderate portions of meat are the best eating and drinking choices.  You probably also know that at least 7–8 hours of sleep every night is important.  You probably also know that activity as little as 20 minutes a day like walking or even vacuuming will improve your life tremendously.  But what is that necessary ingredient to turn New Year’s resolutions, fitness goals, and promises to self, into results?  For my life, anything that will stick and be done well usually needs to become a conviction from Scripture and the Spirit of  God working in my heart that it will honor Him and bless me.  Is that your missing ingredient?  Let me encourage you to “Love the Lord your God” not only with heart, soul, and mind, but also with your body.  People are counting on you.  God has blessings in store for you.  You will be loving God a little more.  Isn’t all that worth it?

Jonathan Tolbert is pastor of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 2227 Diamond Hill–Neese Road, Hull, Georgia 30646.

The Good Life, May 2008, page 4

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