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 statues.

In America, appearance has become an all-consuming endeavor. We prize physical attractiveness and, above all, a youthful appearance. Ads attest to this. Personal trainers, plastic surgeons, hair transplants, wrinkle creams — all hold the promise of beauty and perpetual youth. 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.

Certainly, then, it is our duty to maintain our bodies responsibly. However, the current trend often becomes 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. 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, even hatred, which may linger there? Do we spend the necessary time for our spiritual development?

It is common knowledge that discord in our souls causes stress, which in turn causes many types of illness. Our failure to forgive the wrongs others have committed against us becomes a poison, which floods the body.

My son once gave me a plaque that reads, "Let your body ground you. Let your mind teach you. Let your heart guide you. Let your spirit soar." 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.

Then we may experience the words of the hymn: "When peace like a river attendeth my way / When sorrows like sea billows roll, / Whatever my lot. Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul."

Mary Aley Wilkinson is a member of Hawai'i Kai Church.