But I am embodied. I am not just a soul/spirit that happens to have a body, a material container that can be discarded with no impact on my self. I suppose we try to convince ourselves of this because of the inevitability of death and the fear of our gradual loss of physical powers as we age. But it's really just denial.
The hope of the resurrection is that this world is to be redeemed, including our bodies. The redemption of the world must mean a lot to God. Because of it, he went through the agony of the Incarnation and the Crucifixion. (We have gushy sentimental feelings about the wonder of human birth, but I'm guessing that it was experienced very differently by One who was emptying himself and purposefully not grabbing after his rightful divinity. See Philippians 2:5-8.)
And so if I am to find peace, I need to seek it not just by calming my mind, but by engaging in the physical work that God is doing in the world. Shalom is right relationships. And so I find peace internally when I am rightly aligned with God physically.
Some athletes call this "being in the zone." Artists may work on a project and forget to eat. Engineers may fuel themselves on caffeine and pizza and work through the night. But the work doesn't have to be so grand. Kathleen Norris reminds me that even housework is a way for me to participate with God in keeping order in the universe. Brother Lawrence found that doing the dishes was a way to practice the presence of God.
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (John 16:33 NIrV)
