Me First!

When it comes to your health, God wants you to be selfish. Crazy idea, right? But it’s totally true. Far too many of us in church ministry choose to sacrifice our personal health because we’re deeply dedicated to our family, our ministry,or other people’s needs. But if we don’t make our health a priority, no one else will. Veteran youth pastor Matthew McNutt knows what it’s like to be “too busy” for a healthy lifestyle—but he also knows the rewards of changingcourse and practicing this good kind of selfishness. A former contestant on The Biggest Loser, he’s ready to help you discover some powerful lessons about spiritual and physical health—and whatit all means for those of us called to student ministry. Scripture speaks of our bodies as the holy and sacred dwelling place of God—the temple of the Holy Spirit. That’s why a healthy youhonors God. Plus, a healthy you benefits your family and close friends. And a healthy you guides teenagers toward a God-honoring perspective on food and exercise.Your ministry will survive if you give time to yourself—in fact, over time it’ll be stronger because of it. And you will have modeled something powerful to the people you’re leading.