Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! – 2 Corinthians 5:17 niv

People today are pre-occupied with their bodies. It seems every magazine for women I see has at least one article promising a total makeover. “If you\’ll follow these ten steps, you can change your body!”

I don\’t know about you, but I\’m about due for an extreme makeover. The changes in my body both fascinate and horrify me. Not long ago, my friends and I stopped at a new restaurant for dinner. When I got up to go to the restroom, I saw a woman I thought looked vaguely like me. Of course, she was older and heavier. Only when I took a couple more steps did I realize I\’d been looking into a tinted mirror!

The makeovers for the body usually have the reader changing her diet, initiating or changing her exercise plan, having dental work done, making hairstyle changes, and to the extreme, undergoing plastic surgery.

I\’m all for taking care of our bodies. The temporal dwelling in which we live is the temple of the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 6:19 (New International Version), “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.” As Christians, I believe we should do our best to take care of the temple. Don\’t you? Surely, God isn\’t pleased when we stay too tired to work for Him.

But I don\’t want to get so caught up in the temporal that I forget the eternal. Our bodies were only made to last a short period. We see it in the aging process, even though we try to hide or prevent it.

One day I\’ll trade in this body. God has a makeover in mind that\’s totally extreme! The Contemporary English Version of the Bible puts it this way, “Our dead and decaying bodies will be changed into bodies that won\’t die or decay. The bodies we now have are weak and can die. But they will be changed into bodies that are eternal. Then the Scriptures will come true, “Death has lost the battle!” (1 Corinthians 15:53-54 cev)

And then my made over body will go to a home that needs no makeover, Heaven. Are you ready to go?

Prayer: Lord, thank You for this body I dwell in. May I be faithful to honor You and serve You with this body until I\’m transformed to live in Your presence and in my heavenly home. In Jesus\’ Name I pray, Amen.

Donna Shepherd Inspirational Writer

Children's author and inspirational writer, Donna J. Shepherd, looks at everyday life and finds God's fingerprints everywhere. From bird watching to the Beatitudes, Donna's writing touches the heart with wisdom and humor while feeding the mind with daily portions of God's Word.

She is currently a columnist for The Dabbling Mum and a staff poet for The Inspiration Station. Her articles and poetry have appeared in Reminisce Extra, Just Between Us, Guideposts for Kids, Penwomanship, Sisters in the Lord, and many more. Her devotionals appear in Daily Grace for Women, Devotional Reflections to Nourish Your Soul (Honor Books), and Anytime Prayers for Everyday Moms (Warner Books).