Growing up, I loved watching shows about adventures into outer space. In fact, I took my first baby steps in front of my parent’s black and white TV, while we watched Neil Armstrong take his first steps onto the surface of the moon in 1969. How cool is that?
Neil Armstrong must have been incredibly brave to travel to the moon in a shooting rocket. But despite his courage, he was still required to wear a special helmet and gear for survival. His space suit was a complex outer garment designed to keep him alive, safe and mobile for work outside normal earthly accommodations. As you can imagine, proper maintenance and care of his space suit was necessary to successfully complete the mission.
As humans we have been given special suits as well, which help us accomplish our purpose on planet earth. Similar to an astronaut’s spacesuit, our bodies are a complex system designed specifically for the kind of work we are called to do. However, there are all kinds of problems we can run into with our earth suits. For example, disease and disabilities…plus the fact they’re very susceptible to sin and temptation. That’s why we must take extra precautions to care for them properly.
Galatians 5:16-17 says, “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.”
Jennifer Allison watching the lunar landing on TV in 1969.How we maintain our body is essential to fulfilling our mission. That includes proper eating, drinking, exercise, and personal hygiene. But we can’t forget to keep our operating system updated too, which is our mind. We need to be active learners by constantly consuming the Word of God. We mustn’t allow addictions, overeating, slothfulness or apathy to take over. Those things will destroy our earthly vessel, which can impede our true calling. Now, don’t get me wrong… having the most beautiful earth suit is not our goal. Our responsibility lies with staying away from things that are toxic to it, and taking in the things that nourish proper growth.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
So, what if you have an earth suit that doesn’t quite work the same way others do? That just means God has given you a special suit to fulfill a specific purpose. Have you ever seen an athlete who’s missing a leg complete a marathon? They don’t allow their bodies to dictate what they can or can’t do. They use it to glorify God by doing their very best. It’s because of their unusual challenge that they become an incredible inspiration to others.
So what’s your mission?
Galatians 5:13 says, “For you were called to freedom. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”
Remember, God has given you a body to live and breathe on this crazy planet in order to love and serve one another. So, do your best to take care of your special features in order to fulfill your specific mission!
Jennifer Leigh Allison 
Your Mom and Dad really gave you a lot of attention in 1969. You have a great deal of their attention today with your way with WORDS. I know they must be VERY Proud.
Thank you Harold. My parents are awesome. They forgave me for driving them crazy as a kid, so for that I’m grateful. Plus, it gives me a lot of stories to tell now.
Harold, you got that right. We couldn’t be more proud of the way she conducts her life and the wisdom she is able to share so effectively with her words. Thank you for your kind comments.
I remember so well taking that photograph of you, July, 1969. We were temporarily in Dayton, Ohio while your dad got training with NCR. We barely made it back home for Rodney’s arrival in October. Now aren’t you glad I was such a photography nut? Wonderful memories captured.