Give Him Your Whole Being

Recently I’ve been writing on what my life would be like were Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy no more. So you’ve read how I use as much of myself as I can in the worship of my Lord, and how I desire to use even more of myself in it, at the fullest human function.

You have also recently read me writing about how you shouldn’t take the privileges and blessings that you individually have for granted. That you should instead take advantage of them and in turn perform all things at your full capacity. To employ your entire being into everything you do. And if you’re a believer, to do it all to the glory of the Lord.

With these things in mind, the following is going to break away from my typical personal reflections and application of them. This is going to be more of a direct challenge to those of you reading. Starting with honesty about my own experiences and consequent feelings, this piece is meant to serve mainly as a call to action. And I believe it is a call to action that God has provided me with some authority to make. Prepare yourself cause it’s about to get real!

I’m coming in hot right off the bat! If there’s one thing that truly bothers me to the point of offense (believe me, I’m working on that) it’s when someone fails, or worse, refuses to apply all of oneself while performing a task, even though they have the complete ability to do so. It doesn’t matter what the task is; as far as I’m concerned, if you can do something, you sure as Heaven better at least be willing to do it, and do it at your best! I trust that you get the idea without me going any further.

I’m choosing not to belabor that point because, to let it run the rest of its logical course, would lead me down a rather pretentious path of thinking. I don’t really think it would be very attractive for me to be like, “I do all that I’m able to with my level of ability! There’s no excuse for you to not do the same! Why can’t you be more like me?!” I seriously doubt anyone would keep reading if I did that. So rather than arrogantly shaming you, I’ll just allow you to appropriately fill in the blanks. It’ll be a better day that way!

Here’s the thing, on my worst days, a.k.a. most days, I am far more than simply prone to adopting that prideful and self-righteous approach. Honestly, it’s the default setting. Yes, this has now become more self reflective than I thought it would be. Maybe I just can’t help myself! One more paragraph and I’ll get back to the call to action…

The only time I can recall this default setting publicly boiling over from my thinking to my actions was during a gym class in middle school. I forget what activity we were doing, but there was an able bodied girl in my group who refused to even try to participate. I was NOT cool with that! To make a long story short, I basically went off on her for doing nothing when I couldn’t fully do the task but was still attempting to be a part. I felt justified, but I was definitely way more harsh than I needed to be. It was only middle school gym class after all! That wasn’t a good look, so ever since I’ve done my best to not do anything like that ever again! (The sad thing is I don’t even remember who the girl was, which is a whole nother issue.)

Now back to your regularly scheduled program.. Hopefully I’ve given you enough ammo to fill in the blanks I left. Aside from my own personal disappointment, there is a much more important and spiritual reason for me addressing this issue. And, I must consider that part of the reason I have DMD is so that God could use me to effectively deliver the following message.

We, the complex creation of the human race, did not show up here on accident. We were made with a purpose, and perfectly made to fulfill that purpose! Every single part of the human body was designed with a range of functions in mind. There is no greater design and we get the gracious opportunity to be the object of it! To not take advantage of this gift and utilize the entirety of its ability and potential would be an insult to the God who created us!

It grieves me that much of mankind is unable to recognize this reality! The odds of such complexity coming into existence by accident or chance are not in favor of said notion. We all have a choice to believe in the Creator or the accident and no one can impose their decision on another. But, regardless of whether you believe in the Heavenly Father or not, the truth remains that you are an amazing piece of existence and you possess tools and means to accomplish nearly anything! Please don’t take that for granted. Use what you have!

For those of us who are Christ followers we have an even greater responsibility to use what we’ve been given. Therefore, it grieves me even more so to see believers with their full ability unable to employ their entire being into their worship! Why would you not use all of yourself in an attempt to fully honor Him? Is He not worthy of it? Or do you simply not believe what you claim to? Redeemed, your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and it is not your own! Perhaps it’s time to stop using it in the manner that you prefer and begin using it in the manner it was created for. Use it, use all of it, use it right, and use it for the Lord!

Verses to consider:

“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” – Colossians‬ ‭3:17‬

“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians‬ ‭10:31‬

“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” – Colossians‬ ‭3:23‬

“Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – Ephesians‬ ‭5:20‬