LIVING PARABLES

Our physiological, life-sustaining systems are a picture of the spiritual components that keep the believer functioning and thriving.

We are a soul attached to a spirit, operated by a heart and mind, living in a body.

Jesus often spoke in parables to relay deep, spiritual truths. When I began to learn how to love God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength, I found that my circulatory, respiratory and neurological systems were a picture of my spiritual structure.

My heart muscle, responsible for life-giving circulation of oxygenated blood, functions like my heart center. The bible calls my heart a wellspring (Prov 4:23) flowing with all the issues of life. Whatever I believe about God, life, myself and others, will be circulated to my mind and soul.

Adam, the first human, became a living soul when God breathed His own breath into him (Genesis 2:7). The organs responsible for breathing are the lungs. Interestingly, we have one heart, one brain, but two joined lungs, symbolizing relationship. Through inhaling and exhaling, receiving and giving, we relate to our world. Souls were made for connection.

Romans 12:2 tells us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. The brain manages body functions, such as breathing, blinking, sensory perception and muscle movement. It stores and processes data through memory, reasoning and learning. Transforming our behavior, speech and habits, is a result of a renewed mind. Reading the Word and acting on it forms new neural pathways that make it possible.

As believers, our bodies are called temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19). In the natural, our flesh operates from a circulating heart, breathing lungs and an active brain sending impulses to our muscles for movement. Spiritually, we are a soul attached to a spirit, operated by a heart and mind, living in a body. Our outward actions are a result of what we believe in our hearts, how we reason with our minds, and how we relate to others.

Just as our physical health is related to the foods we eat and how we process stress; our spiritual health is affected by what we dwell on and our response to fear.

If we believe the bible is true and God is completely, constantly good, our hearts will circulate this life-giving truth to our minds. Using the Word as our measurement for truth, we will weigh all our reasoning based on what God says and not just our own experiences. Our souls will then connect to God through worship and obedience and to other souls through His love. Our bodies will function with awareness, doing good deeds that enrich our lives and others. Our whole lives will tell a story of God's glory.

Prayer to be a living parable of grace: Heavenly Father I thank you for your wonderful imagination. May I reflect your love and goodness with my beliefs, choices, relationships and behavior. May I be your living parable of grace to the world, telling the beautiful story of your wondrous love. In Christ's name, amen.

All rights reserved, Veronica Jimenez, Sound Mind Awareness ©2014.