105- Body Relaxation

In the sixties, I was visiting someone, who had no connection with the church nor did he used to read the Bible. I started to talk to him about the sweetness of the life with Jesus and the enjoyment of the fellowship with Him. I came across the talk about the Bible and spiritual church practices.

"Do you think that God would not listen to me as I’m relaxing on my bed smoking a cigarette? Is it necessary to stand up for prayer and sit down to study the Bible or share in the church worship?"

I answered that it is important for the body to share with the soul in the worship, whether the private worship or the worship in the church. It is important for the whole human being to express his/her desire to enjoy God, talk to Him and listen to Him.

When one's body is sober, the soul will share with the body this sincerity; but when the body relaxes, the soul finds its chance to relax.

Yet in the case of sickness or under certain circumstances, the body may not be able to do such practices, but the soul strives and enjoys the life with Christ. Hence, as long as the body can strive soberly, the effect of carelessness reflects on the soul.

This is what the sheep teach us. Did you ever see a sheep eating while it is lying on the ground relaxing? Grass may be an inch away from its mouth, but it does not eat from it. For it to eat, it stands up, bows its head down or kneels with its front legs to eat.

The Lord took us to His green pastures so that we may bow down our heads as well as our knees, and thus our souls bow down with humility, eat and drink and be filled.

→ English translation of the story here at St-Takla.org: استرخاء الجسد!

Lord grant me to worship you with all my being.

My body with its feelings and talents worship You.

My soul with all its energy bows in front of You.

My whole being does not know relaxation,

In order to share with You eternal glories.

Expensive Perfume

Short Stories (Stories for the Youth) Books by Father Tadros Yacoub Malaty

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