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Your personality, your spirituality, the real you Imperfect Foods is perfectly
from Body & Soul 2022
Your personality, your spirituality, the real you
We are all on a spiritual journey. What that means to you may be different than what it means to me. As a Christian pastor and a follower of Jesus, I can only share from my perspective what soul care means.
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The Bible uses the term soul to describe your inner being, who you are at the core — your personality, your spirituality, the real you. Even when your physical body declines in health, your soul can thrive if you care for it. Nothing is more important! Jesus said: “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul” (Matthew 16:26).
According to Jesus, nothing is more important to care for your soul than anything else. What is the health of your soul right now? We tend to go through seasons, peaks and valleys. Where are you right now? Are you running on empty or are you filled with life and energy • Some symptoms of soul neglect include self-absorption, shame, apathy, toxic anger, physical fatigue, isolation, stronger temptation to sin, drivenness, feelings of desperation, panic, insecurity, callousness, a judgmental attitude, cynicism and lack of desire for God. • Some symptoms of soul health are love, joy, compassion, giving and receiving grace, generosity of spirit, peace, ability to trust, forgiveness, discernment, humility, creativity, vision, energy, balance and focus.
In order to stay healthy spiritually, it is important to do regular selfexamination and make corrections and adjustments. It is a priority. “ bove all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it (Proverbs 4:23). Sometimes “heart” and “soul” are used interchangeably in scripture. “Above all else, guard your heart” or soul. It impacts everything else in life.
For me, soul care means that I seek to arrange my life so that there is never a day when I forget Jesus or lose contact with him. Did you know that Jesus wants to be your friend? Not just your maker, savior, leader, lord, master ... but a friend! He said: “I no longer call you servants, because servants do not know their master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you” (John 15:15).
This is amazing that Jesus would promote his followers beyond slave status, beyond servant status — to friend status. What does it mean to be “friends” with Jesus? Well, how do you have a friend? ou have to be intentional. t doesn’t just happen, it takes effort, scheduling, planning, time together, doing things with each other, communicating and sharing hurts and joys ... hanging out!
That’s what Jesus wants with you and me — a closer and closer relationship. Following Jesus is about relationship. It’s not about rules, rituals and routines. It’s about relationship.
I didn’t always get that. During an early phase of my spiritual journey, I thought that God was much more interested in evaluating my behavior than knowing me personally. As a result, I lived with a lot of insecurity and uncertainty regarding how God felt about me. But all that changed when I discovered the good news of the gospel. I learned that God accepts me because of his Son, not because of my accomplishments. I’m saved by grace, through faith, in the perfect finished work of Jesus.
As a redeemed sinner, saved by grace, I want to live my life as an obedient servant of my Lord. But God desires more than just a servant/ Master relationship with me. He wants to be my friend. That’s hard to fathom, but it’s true. What a privilege that Jesus would want to be friends with you and me.
In order to be friends, you have to spend time together! Arrange your life so that there is never a day when you forget Jesus or lose contact with him.
How are you doing that Here are some practices that I find valuable:
Use of Scripture
Unlike any other book, the Bible is “living and active” and a variety
Guest Columnist of ways exist to study, read, meditate on and be shaped by its truths. We do not want merely to know the principles it contains: we want to connect with the person it proclaims. We can rely on it, take comfort in it, be corrected by it, find hope and direction through it. How are you carving out time to reflect on od’s Word What changes might you make
Prayer
Is there something you’re grateful for? Take a moment to thank the Source of all good things. Something you’re worried about Specifically, name it and ask for od’s help. Totally confused about something? Go ahead and ask for wisdom (he promises to supply it, James 1:5). Perhaps you want to simply sit in silence, attentive to God’s presence and love. Clay Peck Spiritual Friendship What’s the most challenging area in your life these days? Is anyone walking through that with you? Are you letting your soul-level friends know what’s really going on? Do you need to pick up the phone, send the text, write that email, or just stop by so that they may pray with you, encourage you, hear your confession, or even just “be with you” in it in a way that helps you stay open to God? re any of your friends going through something significant these days Take a moment to pray for them, too ... and then connect.
Solitude/Silence
The demands of daily life — especially in our 24/7 “wired” world — make it difficult to really hear from od and allow His person to form the basis of our identity. ven Jesus needed time specifically set aside to connect with His Father. Might there be things God’s been trying to convey, but you’re not listening? Not noticing? What time a day could you regularly take a few minutes to turn off all electronics and pay attention to God? When might you set aside a few hours?
Soul Searching/Self-Examination
Where has God been at work in your life lately? Where have you sensed His presence, or not? In hindsight, do you notice things you missed in the moment? Are there areas God has shown you where you strayed in an attitude or choice? If you’re human, the answer is likely yes! Confession yields life-giving freedom and soul-level peace. So, out with it. Come clean. Find grace.
Simplicity
True simplicity is about developing a singularity of heart, or of purpose. It may impact our “stuff,” but most importantly it describes our focus. Everything in life aligns to a central goal: Total surrender and abandonment to God. While many of us long to live that kind of destiny, we often unknowingly clog and clutter our own path. Do you know who God’s made you to be, and for what purpose? How closely does your current life reflect that goal What needs to be pruned in your life
Worship
You can worship the Lord anywhere and anytime. But there is great value in meeting together with other believers in corporate worship. “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24). If you desire to grow closer to Jesus, care for your soul, living a life of purpose and fruitfulness, tell the Lord that you are willing. Maybe write about it in a journal. Then pursue it wholeheartedly! Clay Peck is the Lead Pastor at Grace Place in Berthoud.
