Illustration: In some of the courses I teach students online, one of the models I use as an icebreaker each week as a kind of buddy check is the acronym P.I.E.S. I check to see how each student is doing P(hysically), I(ntellectually), E(motionally), and S(piritually) each week. It gets us all caught up with one another and I gain a reading of the room.

During a deployment in Iraq, my commander was among the finest leaders I’ve ever had. He was a bottom line, up front, no-nonsense, serious but personable commander. You never had to wonder where you stood with him. He was honest, consistent, and straightforward. I liked and respected him from day one. He used to tell us in staff meetings that each day he committed to feeding himself physically, spiritually, professionally, and emotionally. I have not forgotten that. I don’t know if he was familiar with P.I.E.S. in theological circles in which I traffic, but he was spot-on as usual.

Connection: In Scripture, God speaks to these same themes. In Army parlance, we might term it holistic fitness. But God is eternal and the fountain of all wisdom, and as much I love Army life, God’s ways predate the U.S. Army. Here’s what God says about each area:

Physically: Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body (1 Cor 9:19-20, ESV).

Intellectually: Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect (Rom 12:2, ESV).

Emotionally: Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep (Rom 12:15, ESV).

Spiritually: Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world (1 Jn 4:1, ESV).

Encouragement: The God who formed us knows what we need and what leads to human flourishing. May we have the wisdom and courage to follow His way.