“And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world, but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your own soul?” Matthew 16:26 NLT
Baby chicks can entertain in many unique ways. One spring in my first grade classroom a chick discovered a blue wood chip among the plain colored wood chips lining the brooder. The excited chick ran around holding the chip tightly in its beak like he had found the treasure of the century. The other chicks began chasing him for the coveted chip creating a squabble until I removed the blue wood chip from the brooder.
Does this describe the way we act sometimes? Chasing something new, something different, something better than what we have? Jesus brought a different perspective on the matter. He said our souls should be the main concern. “Is anything worth more than your own soul?” Matthew 16:26
Merriam-Webster defines the soul as “the moral and emotional nature” of a human being. The biblical view of the soul is the inner being where intellect, emotions and the will reside along with the breath of God. With these definitions we can conclude the soul is the non-physical part of a human. The soul is also considered the part of ourselves that will continue to live after we die.
Our souls are valuable because they connect us to God, our Creator. Maintaining a healthy soul should be our highest goal.
Many spiritual practices such as prayer, Bible reading, and worship in various forms keep our souls on track and intact, however, the wiles of the world can eat away at our souls and cause damage unless we find ways to actively strengthen our souls.
I dedicated a whole book to this subject, Spiritually Fit: God’s Workout for You. In the book I present ideas from Psalm 105 to grow our “scrawny spirits” into “strong spirits.” The end of the book says:
Being spiritually fit is not a goal; it is a process in which we are constantly becoming, continually cultivating and always for the better.
Our souls are worth the time and energy we take to build them up.
And spiritual practices are only one way to nourish our souls. The experiences of life offer countless opportunities to boost the depth of our souls. Paying attention to what is around you, being aware of what lifts your spirits and what brings you down helps focus your soul on the benefits residing in daily life.
For me, I have discovered three important elements my soul needs to flourish. The first is nature. I love taking walks and noticing the variety of plants or viewing clouds on the move. Even just looking out the window at a bird fluttering by sends my heart singing.
Another ingredient my soul needs is gratitude. If I start to feel dejected, frazzled or flat, I spend a minute or two thinking about what I am thankful for which turns my attitude around. Intentionally staying grateful boosts my energy throughout the day.
The last important need of my soul is writing. I have loved writing since I was old enough to start spelling words. Writing unlocks the thoughts of my soul, freeing them to exist in the world. Writing is joy!
If we needed advice about our physical health, we might consult a doctor. If we need advice about our souls, we can consult God, our Creator and best friend. He knows the best combination of spiritual and earthly experiences for our souls to flourish.
Is anything worth more than your soul? No. So take time to get to know your soul and what it needs the most.
Reaching in (allowing God’s word to work in your soul): The parable of the sower in Matthew 13: 1-23 has valuable information about feeding our souls so they produce good fruit. Study the passage for several days and discover the difference it makes in your soul.
Reaching out (taking God’s word into the world): Become aware of how you feed your soul each day. Talk to God about the best “food” for your soul. Make your soul your priority. God does.
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