The physical body was all-important to the Spartans of ancient Greece. Physical beauty and athletic prowess were esteemed above all else. The body became a source of idolatry that was celebrated through many fresco paintings and magnificent statutes. We, in America, are also a culture where appearance has become an all-consuming endeavor.

We prize physical attractiveness and, above all, a youthful appearance. The classified ads in any telephone directory attest to this: Personal trainers, plastic surgeons, cosmetic concealers, hair transplants, wrinkle creams all hold the promise of beauty.

The Bible tells us "the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God. You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body." 1 Corinthians 6: 19,20. It is our duty to maintain our bodies responsibly, but the trend has become a pursuit that draws us away from God.

I find myself intrigued with the latest trends in makeup, and I seldom leave the house without applying "my face." Recently I was about to purchase an expensive wrinkle concealer when the cosmetician unexpectedly said, "You don't need this. You have nothing to conceal." Her comment stayed with me.

I wondered if the same could be said of my soul as well. Do I have anything to conceal inwardly? Our souls are the moving spirits that guide our thoughts and actions. Do we examine our souls for remnants of guilt, fear, anger, jealousy and even hatred that may linger there? Do we spend the necessary time for our spiritual development?

It's common knowledge that discord in our souls causes stress that, in turn, causes many types of illness. Our failure to forgive the wrongs others have committed against us becomes a poison that floods the body. The Lord's Prayer addresses this by stating that we should ask forgiveness for our trespasses and that we forgive those who have trespassed against us. If this directive were applied to our daily lives, what a different world this would be!

Unless we care for ourselves holistically, we are failing God. How then do we care for that inner part of ourselves — the part in which dwells the Holy Spirit?

We will arrive at a closer relationship with God through our daily prayers, Bible study, church attendance and the time spent in fellowship with fellow Christians. These activities take time and effort; Christian growth can be a slow and arduous process. However, great inner peace is gained through these efforts. When our hearts, minds and bodies are balanced, we are able to achieve a harmonious relationship with God.

Remembering that our bodies were created by God to house that inner part of us, our souls, we should hold fast to the first great commandment and place God before all else. It is when we place things in this perspective that we become whole and at peace.

Mary Aley Wilkinson holds a certificate in lay ministry from the Bible Institute of Hawai'i and is a member of Hawai'i Kai Church.