It is that awkward change of seasons between boots and flip flops. Anybody else ready to switch out clothes from winter to summer? There just isn’t space for both.
space = a continuous area or expanse that is free, available, or unoccupied Last week I read something by John Eldredge that has had me thinking ever since about my soul space. “Jesus—I give everyone and everything to you.” Everyone and everything. Your soul was never meant to carry it all, dear ones. If you want to make room in your soul for God, you have to let go of all the things that are currently filling your soul. You might be surprised by how much is filling your soul. So we give it all back to Him—we give everyone, and everything back to Jesus. Try looking up soul. Wowza. Talk about a rabbit hole (says my dear friend Naomi.) Encyclopedia Brittannica says that the soul is the immaterial aspect or essence of a human being, that which confers individuality and humanity, often considered to be synonymous with the mind or the self. Theology further defines the soul as that part of the individual which partakes of divinity and survives the death of the body. Yogic Encyclopedia defines soul as the Spirit of God in each individual, which is ever-existing, ever-conscious . . . having the same qualities as God. Early Christian philosophers adopted the New Testament Greek concept of the soul’s immortality and thought of the soul as being created by God and infused into the body at conception. In Hinduism, the soul is imprisoned in an earthly body at birth and at death passes into a new existence determined by karma. I love to think of my soul (my mind, my essence) as being created by God and infused into my body. Imprisoned? Not so much. My soul needs space – free and available – so that God can continue working in my life! So I’m back to that idea of Spring cleaning, decluttering, letting go of what is no longer needed for the next season. Richard Foster teaches about “centering down” in his book Celebration of Discipline – release, receive, rest. I turn my palms down to indicate my desire to release any concerns I have to God. Then I turn my palms up as an open posture to receive whatever it is that God has for me. And then I rest in God’s presence, letting Him love me, accepting His purposes for me. Looking UP. A song for you: “It Is Well” by Kristene DiMarco & Bethel Music A verse for you: “Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from Him.” Psalm 62:5
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Looking Up
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