I'm so busy. Life is crazy. I can't breathe. I'm tired. I'm stressed. It's chaotic.
So lately I've been doing a lot of listening, studying, and soul searching in regards to busyness. It seems like I hear people over and over talk about how busy they are, how tired they are, or how crazy their lives have become. In this age, we are overwhelmed with emails, voicemails, facebook notifications, text messages, etc. We can never just power off, or so we think. We lose our sense of margin. We are always running from one activity or event to the next… Our time of "rest" entails grabbing a cup of coffee at our local Starbucks usually with our laptop or phone in hand. Sometimes it's like we almost measure people's "success" based on what their calendar looks like and how booked out they are. "Maybe we can get together in three weeks?" I often hear moms applauded for all that they do–the busier, the better. And if they manage to do this, this, this, this and this… Wow! Then they are really amazing! On the other hand, if you are a person that does have any time or extra margin in your life, you must be a loser that doesn't get invited out to do much.
We can even be busy for the sake of the gospel but meanwhile, are we losing our own souls? I can be as busy, scheduled, and stressed out as the next person but internally I struggle with this because for me, once I start running ragged my spiritual life definitely takes a nose dive. Where is the joy He promises? Christ died to give us the abundant life. I'm not sure that the word abundant here equates an overly full calendar with our reminder alarms going off every five minutes. I’m learning that the abundant life is a choice and that we are not victims of our schedule or how we spend our time (and I seem to forget this daily and have to keep reminding myself over and over).
I think the Scriptures are clear and Elijah can attest that God doesn't always yell but rather gently whispers (1 Kings 19:11-12). I just love this passage… So I have to be self-reflective, Am I taking the time to hear His gentle whispers? Am I listening at all? Am I quiet and still before Him? What does that even look like? Where is my joy?
Soul care is something that I've realized through the years is absolutely necessary, although definitely not something I have mastered. Our mentor and dear friend, Stephen Smith, has written several amazing books but I am currently enjoying his one entitled Soul Custody–Choosing To Care For the One and Only You. He states that we are given only one life to live. We can't go back and hit the re-start button. "…the message of soul care seems to contradict some of the most fundamental teachings of Jesus Christ, like, 'Deny yourself,' and, 'The man who hates his life will keep it?'" But Steve beautifully writes, "Caring for your soul is never a selfish or egotistical act. It's really an act of stewardship. We steward our souls by caring for them well. How can we continually give what we do not have? Caring for the soul is an act through which God can replenish your heart, restore your soul, and revive your day so you can meet the challenges of life, work, and relationships. Far from being labeled as sin, soul care is actually a biblical command."
Proverbs 4:23: "Above all else, guard your heart. For it is the wellspring of life."
Deuteronomy 4:9 "Only take care, and keep your soul diligently."
God invites us to rest easy in Him and only after that can we effectively love and minister to those around us–whether itâ's our spouse, our children, friends, or others in need. Jesus was a great example of this cycle in his life. I'm learning that if I have put nothing into my own soul care then how can I pour myself out for others?
So anyway, I'm loving this mighty reminder to take custody of my soul and to step further into intimacy with God. It's something worth fighting for! It's easy to get caught up with thinking that I don't have the time but really, what else is more crucial and satisfying than resting completely in the arms of our Savior? Just to rest… soak in his love… feel his embrace… lay my burdens at his feet… let my worries fade away… and know in my innermost being that I am His beloved.
"Soul Custody is a clarion call–a prophetic call to do something significant with your life before it's too late."
–Gary Chapman
