Listening to the Spirit

By Ingrid Friesen Moser, MMA stewardship of health manager

“And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’” (Luke 3:22)

Being a good steward of your health starts by listening to the Spirit. Those words from the Gospel of Luke are addressed to Jesus, but are for us as well: we are deeply loved.

How do we live in our bodies as fully loved beings? We understand “our bodies” in this question to be somewhat of a paradox, referring both to our personal body, as well as to the body – the community – we belong to.

Health means not so much the absence of disease, but rather living fully in the body we do have in spite of disease. Not the body we wish we had, or the body we hope to have, but the body we have right now. Practicing good stewardship of health starts here.

Each day we live we are given the gift of health – the opportunity to live as fully as possible in the physical body we have. But also, the opportunity to participate as fully as possible in the body of Christ, manifested in the communities where we live, work, and worship.

Being a good steward of health
Being a good steward of your health is not about finding the perfect diet and exercise plan. It’s not about discovering one right way to make health care decisions. And it’s not about finding “the” solution to our own personal crises. Being a good steward of your health starts by listening to what the Spirit is calling you to do in response to the gift of health you have been given.

For each of us, this will mean something different. For some, it may mean making a significant lifestyle change, such as starting a more healthy diet or making a commitment to exercise more. To others, it might mean reprioritizing your health care decision making or changing how you respond to the health care needs of others. What the Spirit is saying to you about your health is unique and special.

How do we listen to the Spirit?
In the first chapters of the book of Revelation, John is sharing an important message from Jesus to the seven churches in Asia about listening and the rewards of being faithful. In each of the letters, John tells the body of believers who are faced with challenging situations, “Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying.” (Revelation 2:7, NRSV) Listen. Be faithful. Be guided by the Spirit, for the reward is great!

Faithful people listen. After listening, faithful people engage in careful and thoughtful reflection – and they take action! They are sensitive to how God’s Spirit may be leading them and are courageous. In the face of adversity, faithful people persevere, not alone, but as a united whole guided by the Spirit.

This article is an excerpt from Ingrid’s book, entitled “Body Talk: Speaking the Words of Health,” which may be purchased from the MMA Bookstore.