“I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters,
by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice,
holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
Do not be conformed to this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your minds,
so that you may discern what is the will of God–
what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
-Romans 12:1-2
One of my favourite pieces of music from our hymn book More Voices goes like this:
Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary,
pure and holy tried and true;
with thanksgiving, I’ll be a living
sanctuary for you.
It’s a short piece written by John W. Thompson and Randy Scruggs, but I love it because of the way in which it’s words call on us to see our whole selves as a ‘sanctuary’ for God. It reminds us that God is in us and we are in God. Whatever we do, wherever we go, God dwells within. Which leads us to the question: how does our lives reflect this knowledge? How do we live our lives in a way that reflects God? For me, this is what our scripture passage is inviting us to do. To live life as if our bodies or whole selves were a ‘living sacrifice’ for God. Now, I do want to note that I think first and foremost, it’s important not to approach this image from the perspective of modesty and sexuality. Far too often, in referring to our bodies as a Temple, we have then used it to condemn the sexual natures of our body, or enforce modesty on women. Instead, let’s think of it as how we live our lives, how we carry ourselves each day. Do we present ourselves in ways that shows respect to others? Respect for ourselves? Do we share love? Do we reach out in charity? Do we wrap our arms around one another in times of grief? Do we seek the good of the other, and speak out on behalf of the vulnerable? When we do these things, it is then that we are living life as if we are a sanctuary for God. Where we are doing our best to live life as God would have us live. And where we welcome God in, to guide us and inspire us as we go. So what does being a “living sacrifice” look like to you? In what ways does your life reflect the presence of God within you? Celebrate those things, but also be open to making changes within, as you seek to deepen your relationship with God. Because none of us are perfect. All of us do things that we know doesn’t reflect God. All of us make mistakes. Have regrets. What matters is a willingness to change, seek forgiveness and find new ways of living life. What matters is that we grow and learn together, all while trusting that through it all God is with us! So may the words of this hymn become a mantra for you, as they are for me. May they inspire you, challenge you and guide you!
God Bless, Rev. Tara Ann
Devotional was written by Rev. Tara Ann Gourson, August 2020.
“Lord, Prepare Me to Be a Sanctuary” is a hymn found in More Voices Hymnbook. Words and music were written by John W. Thompson and Randy Scruggs.
Bideford Pastoral Charge 