The Body Switch

Written By Betty Predmore

1 CORINTHIANS 15: 29-58

(August 24)

I watched a movie many years ago where the two leading men (I believe they were John Travolta and Nicolas Cage) changed faces. It was really weird. They looked like one person but acted like the other. One of them was not so nice, by the way. A complete switch of identity.

Have you ever wanted to switch identity with someone? Trade your body for theirs? (Haven't we all wanted that supermodel body at least once in our wishful thinking?) How often we can find fault in these earthly bodies of ours, and how often we can abuse them in so many ways.

I have not been very good to my earthly body. It has been sunburned more times than I can count. (Can you say 3rd degree burns to the upper torso?) My body hasn't always been exercised the way it should. I have consumed too many sodas and sweets, too many carbs, and not enough protein.

This earthly body of mine has expanded and decreased over the years. (Right now, we are in decrease mode.) My right shoulder is constantly stiff, and my feet often ache. The eyes in this body could use some help, and the hair is thinning. The knees could use a replacement, and the ears have a constant hum. There are so many things I can find to criticize or complain about.

But there is good in this body as well. My hands are quite often held in the hands of a tiny four-year-old, or softly cradling a newborn. There is a smile on this wrinkled face when my children tell me they love me. These achy arms wrap around my husband in a warm hug. These eyes, while not the best, still see the beauty and glory of God all around me, and this mouth still speaks words of encouragement to others.

Actually, despite the numerous flaws, I am quite comfortable in this casing of mine. I am familiar with it. It's kind of like my car ... I know just how fast I can go, and when I need to slow down a bit.

As comfortable as I am with this "skin God has put me in", I am so curious about the new body I will receive in Heaven. Will I be a better version of me as I am now? Or will I be totally different? The mystery is there, and the answer awaits me. I can rest in the assurance that it will be great beyond my expectations.

I know people who are really struggling in the bodies they have now and can't wait for a new one. These people cannot run, some can barely walk, pain flows through them daily. Some struggle to see or hear, others have so much metal pinned inside them it is hard to bend.

Paul tells us that our body will be different. He compares the resurrection of our bodies with the way a garden grows. You plant a seed, but what grows out of the ground looks different than the seed. The seed has to "die" in the ground to become something different when it rises from the earth.

Our present bodies are not everlasting. They are perishable and they begin to decay. But the new body, our resurrected body, will be so much more capable and will be everlasting.

These new bodies we receive will never be sick, they will never grow weary, they will always be able to run, and they will last forever. And while I still don't know exactly what that looks like (probably not the supermodel body), I am certain, from the truth of the Word of God, that it will be perfect, and I will be quite pleased with the body switch.

Betty Predmore

Betty Predmore is a writer, blogger, speaker and ministry leaders. She is the founder of Mom-Sense, Inc., a ministry designed for mentorship, connection and service to women of all life circumstances. Through this ministry, women are encouraged and supported with scripture and life application. Mom-Sense helps women overcome life struggles through small group classes with biblical curriculum, individual counseling, bible studies, and other areas of support.

Betty also directs the Imperial Valley Life Center, which is a non-profit faith-based pro life women’s resource center. She has a passion for saving the unborn and supporting mothers through pregnancy and motherhood.

Betty loves to speak at events, sharing the love of Jesus with other women. She does this through practical life application mingled with God’s word, and sprinkled with humor. Having experienced a broken home, divorce, abuse, grief, single motherhood, blended families, and adoption, she uses the broken places and movement of God in her own life to share His word in an inspiring way. She enjoys sharing her blogs on social media as a way of reaching out on a broader spectrum. Betty has many speaking topics which can be found on her website: www.bettypredmore.com

As an author, she has had the opportunity to impact women and reach deep into their hearts with her words of inspiration and encouragement. Through Pondering Virtue and Whispered Grace, she has created wonderful tools for the woman who is seeking direction in her spiritual walk.

Betty serves on the writing team of A Wife Like Me, and is also a contributor to Moms Encouraging Moms and Gift of Thorns. Her blogs have appeared in several magazine publications throughout the years including Southern Faith Magazine, Purposeful Life, and Aspiring Woman Magazine.

While Betty thrives on her ministry opportunities, her greatest blessings come from being a wife to Jim and a mama to their wonderful collection of children, who bring joy, laughter, and an occasional tear to her days.


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