GODSPLAN! You may be wondering what that is. I’m glad that you asked. It is the key to health and happiness on this earth. We’ve all had the experience of buying a new piece of gadget or equipment. And as we open up our box eager to play with our latest toy, a piece of paper falls out with instructions on how we should care for it, if we expect it to function properly and last for a long time. Well, when God created us, He too gave us a manual, containing clear instructions on how we should care for the equipment He has entrusted to us – our bodies. In 2 Peter 1:3, the Bible says that God has “given us all things that pertain unto life and godliness.” Part of that “all things” is principles on health, that if clearly followed will lead us to experience that “life abundant” that God promised, not simply in the world to come but even in this world.
We know by experience that when we are not feeling well, if we have a cold or some other illness, everything else in our life suffers. We don’t want to work or go to school. Everything is put on pause until our health is restored. From that standpoint alone we see that health is an integral part of our happiness and well being. And our loving Father understood that and has made provisions for that. After all He did tell us in 3 John 2, “I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”
We can all agree that everything in life is governed by laws. If I jump off a building, the law of gravity automatically takes effect and I will go tumbling to the ground. Though sometimes we seek to rebel against law, law is actually there as a safeguard. We may hate the laws that dictate how fast we should drive, but think about it. If everyone could drive at whatever speed they wanted, would that really be a good idea? Laws are put in place to act as a barrier from untold dangers. Likewise, God in His wisdom gave us laws that serve to protect us from a multitude of problems. As He gave us the ten commandment laws to govern how we should behave morally, He also has given us laws that govern our physical well being. These laws were put in place to ensure that we can experience 3 John 2. In adhering to these laws we find safety and health. These eight laws are known by the acronym, GODSPLAN (Godly Trust, Open Air, Daily Exercise, Sunlight, Proper Rest, Lots of Water, Always Temperate, Nutrition). Make no mistake about it though at a glance they seem simple, they contain powerful principles.
Though we won’t go over all these laws now, in the upcoming blogs, we will explore each of these laws in depth, showing both the biblical and scientific reasoning behind them. We will also learn how we can incorporate them in our daily lives. Ultimately, we know that God loves us greatly. And love only seeks the best for the object of its affection. Consider then these laws as a gift of love from a wonderful Creator to His creatures!