Our thoughts this week have come from some reading I have been doing reflecting on the importance of caring for our souls, a great challenge for me as I follow Jesus. As I talk to others on my travels this seems to be a common concern.
As a staff at Youth Unlimited YFC we are reading a book called Survival Guide for the Soul by Ken Shigematsu. The book talks about the tension between achieving and soulfulness. One of our greatest challenges, in the fast paced world we live in here in North America, is caring well for our souls.
“It is easy to forget God – especially if we’re busy and enjoy accomplishing things. We grow used to living from task to task, craving the dopamine hit that comes from the next big thing” (Survival Guide for the Soul, p.55). I love checking the box off on finished tasks! Those who know me well know I diligently keep a to-do list.
“Spiritual exercises attune us to God’s presence, acting as sticky-note reminders that God is with us all the time” (SGftS, p.55).
As we take time to ATTUNE to God, our souls are nurtured and we can join Him in what He is doing – John 5:17 – “17 But Jesus replied, “My Father is always working, and so am I.”
Soulfulness leads to Spiritual Growth.
As we enter this conversation about soulfulness we need to be reminded of two things:
- a) We need to be reminded of Whose We Are… “A rhythm of spiritual practices helps us remember to whom we belong and by whom we are loved” (SGftS, p. 56).
- b) And Who We Are… “Many of us – even those of us who intellectually believe that God is love – have difficulty truly believing that we are loved. As simple as the words sound, many of us cannot easily accept the fact that I am accepted. The perceptive priest Henri Nouwen observes that the greatest temptation we face is self-rejection. He says it’s not sex, popularity, or power. Those seductions are very real, but there is usually a deeper dynamic at work… Self-rejection is the greatest temptation because it contradicts the sacred voice that calls us the beloved. And being the beloved is the core truth of our existence” (SGftS, p. 57).
According to Ken Shigematsu, spiritual practices fall in three categories, Bible reading and prayer are a part of each area:
- Practices that Help Us Feel Loved and Whole – practices like silent meditation and Sabbath keeping.
- Practices that Help Us Cultivate Humility – practices like gratitude and servanthood.
- Practices that Sustain Us – practices like practical tasks, spending time in nature, contemplative exercises and studying theology (we are all wired differently).
“Over time these practices can bring us into a place of great freedom and even joy. As is true with any endeavor, discerning whether a spiritual practice is going to be sustainable and fruitful will take trial and error along with perseverance” (SGftS, p. 67).
I encourage you to consider making a one degree change in your life as you care for your soul.
***
Kevin Nethercott is the director of North Perth Youth for Christ.
