My husband usually does a good job of ensuring that his “Sunday” shoes are polished and presentable for church or any other formal event. Recently he polished his shoes the night before our worship service. Their looks really improved! They became shiny and a sparkling black. But not only that, he said they were covered well with the polish. The leather had begun to crack some and sorely needed to be covered with this polish. It’s a good thing that he paid attention to them and knew when to cover them.
Let’s look at the make-up of Mike’s leather shoes.
Leather is prized for its flexibility and durability. At the microscopic level, leather is made up of a tangle of fibers held together with protein bonds. Natural fats and oils keep the protein bonds strong. If leather loses its natural oils, it loses its flexibility and its fibrous interweave will start to crack and eventually break down. Once this happens, it is lost and needs to be replaced.
A good leather conditioner prevents this breakdown from occurring by keeping fibers throughout the leather hydrated and flexible – in some cases leather products well over 100 years old are as usable today as they were a century ago because the leather has been properly preserved. Care of Leather Shoes
We are like those shoes, don’t you think? Our bodies (our coverings) are constantly being affected by the physical elements of the outdoors and how well we take care of them. It’s important for us to take care of these “one-use only” bodies which God gave us, or they will also begin to “crack”.
So how can we take care of our “one-use only” bodies?
· Eat a healthy, balanced diet with lots of vegetables and fruit.
· Keep your immunizations up-to-date.
· Don’t use tobacco, vape products, alcohol, or drugs.
· Exercise as often as you can.
· Stay aware of your emotions and moods.
· Get enough sleep.
· Wear proper protection at home, work, or play.
· See your health-care provider if you think something may be wrong.
It seems to me that these are very good suggestions, but you and I know how hard it is to follow these suggestions continuously and consistently. What results if we don’t is weight gain, unwanted diseases or conditions, possible addictions, constant tiredness, and possible injury when not being careful with chores at home/in the yard.
Do you know what else happens when we don’t take care of these physical bodies? This neglect becomes an opportune time for the enemy to slide right in and exasperate any one of these situations as well as other situations beyond our health. This is a “crack” that needs to be covered!
1 Peter 5:8 “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (NIV)
We need the covering of the blood of Jesus. Just as leather is made up of “a tangle of fibers held together with protein bonds”, our physical bodies are made up of nerves, tendons, muscles, organs, veins, bones, and other necessary parts which need to be constantly cared for. Otherwise, these wonderful bodies will begin to crack and break down sooner than they should.
So what’s the answer here? The covering of the blood of Jesus! We need to remain hydrated by the Living Waters of His Word. We need to be flexible in order to physically move and mentally discern where He is sending us. Obedience to His Will is our mission.
Acts 17:28 “For in him we live and move and have our being.” (NIV)
Just like Mike, keep your shoes polished. Just like a follower of Jesus, keep your spirits covered by the blood of Jesus! Stay alert, and don’t dare let any part of you begin to crack!
Thanks for stopping by,
Rachel
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