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For many, letting go of the external body is a process. The body gives us cues that the time is coming to let go of it. We may be reminded by age or condition of the body.
Some of us will experience the need to let go of the body in kind of practice runs before the big letting go. I have resisted those practice runs with everything I have.
Why?
Because I hate being dependent. I hate having to ask for help. And I hate the thought that one day someone may have to care for my body in personal ways.
Dependency is an issue of trust. Can we actually trust someone else to care for us? Will they be gentle and loving? Will they be kind and compassionate?
Dependency is an issue of pride versus humility. Do I really want other people to see me undressed, unmasked, unable to keep up my brave front?
How will my image be affected? Would anyone give me a second thought if I were “just a body in a bed?”
Dependency is an issue of relevance. If I can no longer do the things that always made me feel I was contributing to the world, who will I be? Will I be nothing if I can do nothing?
Dependency is an issue of control. Can we trust someone to care for us the way we want to be cared for at the time we want their care?
Can I really let someone care for my body?
God stopped me at that point in my pondering. He reminded me that my body is not exclusively mine. My body belongs to Him.
Paul said,
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of The Holy Spirit, Who is in you, Whom you have received from God? You are not your own!”
1 Corinthians 6:19
Trust. Dependency.
Can I trust God to take care of His Body? Can I depend on Him?
Yes, I can.
Can I trust Him to work all the details out in His Good Time?
Can I really turn all the controls completely over to Him?
I thought I heard Him chuckle. I was never really in the driver’s seat. I was never really in charge. God was!
Jesus was the ultimate example of showing dependency on His Father God to take care of His Body.
Jesus began some of the final days of His Life, showing humility.
He talked about His Forthcoming Death.
He allowed a woman to anoint His Body.
He “willed” His Body in advance to His Followers.
He was taken prisoner. He was beaten and tortured. He was stripped of his clothes.
He carried a cross.
He was nailed to a cross.
He let The Father use His Blood to anoint those who crucified Him.
He finished the work He came to earth to do. And He did it faithfully to the end, depending on God His Father to care for Him and The Body that belonged to Him.
And then in the ultimate statement of Trust, Jesus said,
“Into Your Hands, I commit My Spirit.”
Luke 23:46
And in that moment, Jesus was rewarded with a new body!
For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at The Right Hand of The Throne of God!
Hebrews 12:2
I do not know what God plans for the body where I now live with Him. But I know it is His and I can trust Him to use it for His Glory.
Trust in The Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6
