Summer has arrived and many of us are looking forward to traveling with our families for vacation as well as relaxing and staying home on a “staycation.” However, as we seek to rejuvenate our physical bodies let us not forget our inward “spirit.”
“And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people” (Matt 4:23 KJV). When most believers think of healing and wholeness, we instinctively think about the healing of our physical bodies. As a child I loved to read the scriptures concerning Jesus’ healing of the lame, the lepers, the blind and the deaf. Nevertheless, health and wholeness encompasses more than just physical healing.
Daily, our outward man perishes and strives for physical comfort. Our modern day world can be mentally exhausting, tiring and stressful. The Apostle Paul understood how taxing this world can be on our spirit as well as our physical bodies. Nevertheless, Paul says our inward man is renewed day by day. The renewal may not necessarily come through that long planned cruise, camping trip or excursion to your favorite amusement park. Paul is not talking about physical renewal, or even deliverance from the cares and woes of our daily lives. Paul is essentially addressing God’s concern that our inner man be whole.
The Word of God says, “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;” (Eph 3:16 KJV). In order to walk in wholeness of spirit, we must make time for our inner spirit the same way we plan rest and relaxation for our outward bodies. As we deal with the stresses of life, what knowledge brings us strength to continue through the struggles and pains our inner man feels? The answer is illuminated in understanding the hope of glory. God lives in glory, and reminds us that our current afflictions are short and light.
We experience walking in wholeness by affirming what God’s Word says about us. For example, Isaiah 41:18 (KJV) says, “I will open rivers on the bare heights and springs in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water and the dry land fountains of water.” So, during this season of vacation and rejuvenation, commit to affirming the scriptures as you take in the sunshine, relax on the beach and feast on summer delicacies.
Always remember, the way we feed our spirit man is by meditating and renewing our mind with the Word of God. The Word saturates our mind. Bring your Bible to your favorite beach, brook or trickling spring. Sing your hymns as you kayak down the river, bike your favorite trail or hike your favorite path. Regal yourself with remembrances of victories that God has brought you through. Wholeness in Christ is rooted in taking time to meditate on what God says about you through His Word. On your vacation or staycation this summer, make time to assess whether you are seeking the renewal of your inner man daily in order to maintain clarity of spiritual thought. Remember, God knows His plans concerning you. My prayer is that you do too.
Elder Jerome Woods, II is the husband of Alana M. Woods and is the son of the late Jerome Woods, Sr. and Larina Woods. He is a Washington, D.C. native and associate Elder at High Calling Ministries pastored by George W. Hawkins, Jr. Elder Woods is a graduate of The George Washington University (1994) where he received his Bachelor of Arts in English Literature with minors in Sociology and Latin Classical Humanities. Elder Woods received his Juris Doctorate in 1997 from The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law.
Thanks for the reminder not to forget “the refreshing of the spirit man”.