How is your soul?
We often ask each other, “how are you?” expecting an answer about health or general well-being. But, people are more than their bodies. We are physical, emotional, rational AND spiritual beings. We feel hesitant in asking about each other’s souls because the pervasive attitude in our day and time is that ‘faith is a private matter.’ But should it be?
Due to the influence of atheism, we have purged acknowledgement of the human spirit from not only conversations with friends, but from public discourse and public education. When we fail to acknowledge the dignity inherent in each other’s souls we create a dysfunctional society. When we fail to nurture the souls of our children at home and at school, we abandon our responsibility to give them all the tools they need to live a full life.
Souls, like bodies, can be healthy or unhealthy. As they say, ‘use it or lose it’! If we don’t take care of our bodies with food, sleep and exercise, we become physically weak. When we don’t take care of our souls with prayer, worship and other spiritual exercises, our spirits become weak. They may lose the ability to function altogether.
Many people today say they “believe” in God, but live just like atheists, failing to do anything to nurture and strengthen their souls. Are you as intentional about taking care of your spiritual health as you are taking care of your body?
As you consider Jesus, think about the fullness of human nature, including the human spirit. History shows us people of all times and places acknowledge the human spirit and how our souls yearn to connect with a larger spiritual presence that we sense, but can’t see. Part of Jesus’ amazing message is that God, in God’s great love for us, desires to connect with us too. And that includes you.
Exercise your spirit this week and read the Gospel of John, even if you haven’t read Mark, Matthew and Luke. Be open to the possibility that the Spirit of God is reaching out to the spirit in you.
John wrote his account long after the others, probably in the mid to late 90s, almost 60 years after Jesus’ resurrection. I imagine John as an old man thinking about all he experienced as he walked the length and breadth of Israel with Jesus and His disciples. John goes deep into the meaning of it all – the truth about God, about human nature, about love, forgiveness and so much more.
Read the first chapter, especially the first 18 verses, a few times and think back on them as you read the rest of John’s Gospel. Grasp the significance that Jesus, who walked and talked, healed and taught, laughed and wept, ate and drank, lived and died, is God – the God of Creation, the God of Eternity. As you read, watch what God does and listen to what God says. Open the eyes of your body, your mind, your emotions and the eyes of your soul to Jesus.
Dear Jesus, answer my questions about you. Help me to see what I need to see and hear what I need to hear. Strengthen my soul. Amen.
