Read: Psalm 139:13-16; 1 Corinthians 15:42-44

Nate and Peter watched as Dad assembled a miniature model of the human body they had gotten for their homeschool biology class.

“I’m amazed at God’s creation,” Dad said, holding up the plastic heart piece. “Did you know that the human heart, which is only about as big as a clenched fist, can pump up to two thousand gallons of blood a day?”

“I heard that in our class videos,” said Peter. “We learned about eyes too. They’re set in holes, or sockets, and they’re protected by seven interlocking bones.”

“And our eyelashes and eyebrows keep out dust and sweat,” said Nate. “And each time we blink, a special fluid washes over our eyes.”

Dad grinned. “Right! And have you noticed that the palms of your hands are sort of skid-proof so you can get a grip on things? And think about your fingers and all they can do. You use them to write, paint, hammer a nail, play the piano—”

“Catch a football,” added Nate.

Dad nodded. “Just like the Bible says, we’re fearfully and wonderfully made. God created the human body to do amazing things. His great handiwork is nothing to laugh about, is it?”

“Laugh about?” asked Peter. “What do you mean?”

“Well, sometimes I hear people say things that aren’t respectful about the human body,” said Dad. “They make jokes about things God designed it to do, and sometimes they even mock others whose bodies look different from theirs.”

Peter nodded. “Sometimes my friends send me things that make fun of stuff like that—or even specific people.”

“That’s not how God wants us to treat the bodies—or people—He created,” said Dad. “He loves us so much He sent Jesus to die for us. When we trust in Him, He gives us new hearts—not a physical heart that pumps blood, but a desire to know and follow Him and share His love with others. And one day He’s going to give us new bodies too! Perfect bodies that will be free from sin, sickness, and death.”

“Wow,” said Nate. “That sounds amazing!”

Dad nodded. “It is amazing. That’s why we need to treat the bodies God gave us—and everyone else—with respect.”

–Agnes Livezey

How about you? Are you ever tempted to make fun of the amazing bodies God created? Maybe you’ve made inappropriate jokes about them or looked at pictures or videos that are disrespectful. Perhaps you’ve even mocked someone for the way their body looks. Ask Jesus to forgive you for the times you didn’t treat people He loves and their bodies with respect. Remember that our bodies are meant to remind us of His amazing love.

Today's Key Verse: I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14 (NKJV)

Today's Key Thought: Respect the bodies God created