Look Beyond the Earth-Suit

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are creating for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

2 Corinthians 4:16-17

Physical bodies are essential for life on this earth but they are not who we are. Bodies are nothing more than vehicles for our souls. Yet, we make the mistake of judging the essence of a person by these external trappings. We attach far too much importance to the vessel while overlooking the more important contents.

Because we are judged by the exterior that make us recognizable to other souls traveling the planet, we spend an inordinate amount of time embellishing, polishing, and even worshiping our bodies. What is nothing more than a temporary suit for our souls can become the focus of our lives. 

I heard a minister say that if you want to know where your heart is, look at your checkbook. I’m afraid a large portion of my money goes to the preservation and beautification of a body destined to return to dust. Sephora, Lifetime Fitness, my beautician, and esthetician take more of my money than I like to admit. Add onto that the amount I spend on “suits for my earth-suit” and I’m right down embarrassed.

This phenomenon is not peculiar to the twenty-first century. Right or wrong, beauty has always been equated with goodness. The Egyptians, Mayans, and many pagan cultures before us attempted to gain favor with gods and men by beautifying their bodies. 

Our God is not fooled. He sees our innermost being. He communicates with our souls not our bodies. Bodies are essential for life on earth but they will not be essential when we return to our heavenly home. The bodies will go back to the dust from which they were created, but our souls are eternal. While it is our responsibility to care for our physical bodies so that we can accomplish God’s purpose for us, we need to remember what and whose we are.

Imagine that for a day you would cover your body with a big paper sack, peepholes for the eyes. How would your day be different? How would your perception of others change? How would you spend your extra time? I’m sure the change would be welcome initially, but being human, we would most likely turn to decorating the bags. Best costume wins.

Cancer patients are understandably troubled as they watch the changes that occur to their earth suits. They lose their hair, develop acne like rashes, lose muscle mass, gain weight from steroids, develop jaundice, and even have parts of their bodies removed. Every look in the mirror, every hair on the pillow is a reminder of the battle raging inside them. 

They need to know that those of us who love them are able, like God, to look beyond the earth suit, right into their ever-beautiful souls.