“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair . . .” 2 Corinthians 4:7-8
Recently on my son’s 18th birthday I unconsciously backed out of a birthday photo my husband was taking. “Where are you going?” he asked. Only later was I able to examine my reaction. I was backing out of the photo because I was self-conscious about how my body would look in the picture.
How many times have you heard someone say, “Well, I need to lose a few pounds.” Or “I don’t like the way I look in this outfit.” in response to a compliment. Have you ever thought, “If my _______ were _________ then I would be beautiful.”?
I am certain this is not how God sees each of us. God knows about my sweet tooth. God understands how midlife weight tends to move to the middle. God loves my friend’s nose, the church elder’s wrinkles, and whatever body part you are sure is all wrong. God delights in the diversity of our bodies. I believe that God sees our uniqueness and rejoices in it. We were not created to last forever, nor to be perfect, or the same as anyone else. God clearly and happily created us as individuals in all our humanness.
God, Please renew my eyesight, that I may see the joy you have in Your creation. All of it, even me, including my body! AMEN
Some Comfort and Joy was developed as a devotional resource that follows the rhythms and seasons of the liturgical year from an Anabaptist-Mennonite perspective.
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