Dwelling places: the soul
Hello Friends!
Upon entering a new season of Spring, and in the midst of reading several books on the soul, I thought I’d bring this past piece back up for us to glean and engage with. A focus on Soul Care has brought up various questions that are being unveiled such as: Why soul care is necessary? How do we care for our soul? What part do we have in caring for the soul of others? What might soul care look like? Are there historical lineages in caring for our souls?
The questions carry on and will continue to surface awareness, understanding, discovery and hope; a deepening trust and faith in God, the One who created us for wholeness and eternal living both now and to come.
May more wonder and questions come to the surface as you continue reading. Be encouraged and curious!
image by m r n Arkansas River
Dwelling Places: the soul (part 1)
How often do you hear the word soul?
My soulmate, soul sister or soul brother, soul music, and soul care etc. It is a ubiquitous word which also has been included in many popular books, poetry, and songs.
The familiar chorus resonating in my mind as I write this is “It Is Well With My Soul”
These beautiful and powerful lyrics call us to trust our soul to God for it is our God who created us.
(verse 2)
Tho' Satan should buffet
Tho' trials should come
Let this blest assurance control
That Christ hath regarded My helpless estate
And hath shed His own blood
For my soul
(chorus)
It is well (It is well) with my soul (with my soul)
Jesus has defeated sin and hell! It is well.
PAUSE. LISTEN. I encourage you to sit a moment and listen to the song.
What words or phrases stand out to you?
Is there something drawing you closer to God today?
If so, take a moment and write it down or just pause and offer a prayer to God.
When we hear the word “soul” it is often connected to other words like soul & spirit, heart, inner man etc. In noticing these connections I began to wonder more about the soul.
Beginning with a simple definition of soul as the non physical element in humans. This doesn’t seem to fill the void which is good because then it means we need to keep digging.
Here are a few more descriptive definitions for soul that are helpful:
“the spiritual part of a person that some people believe continues to exist in some form after their body has died, or the part of a person that is not physical and experiences deep feelings and emotions” (https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/soul)
“the spiritual part of a person that is believed to give life to the body and in many religions is believed to live forever” (https://www.britannica.com/dictionary)
In Scripture, the Hebrew word soul is nephesh. It can be translated in varying ways. The most common meaning is “person or living creatures.” And in the New Testament the Greek word for soul is translated “psyche” and is equivalent to the Hebrew meaning of “person or life.” (www. bibleq.net)
We often hear and relate soul as synonymous with: spirit, heart, life, one's whole being. It is also at times distinct from heart and spirit.
I am intrigued by these similarities yet distinctive’s. Is there more to this well known word? Absolutely!
As we begin to go deeper, a few questions arise as I open up the pages of my Amplified Bible outline, titled SOUL. The outline offers these questions to examine and pursue in prayerful study.
What does the soul do?
How does it express human emotions?
Does the soul have spiritual desires?
What are the spiritual desires of the soul?
What does God do for the soul?
These are all beautiful and inquiring questions. And seemingly a great amount to sit with and glean.
PAUSE. LISTEN. WRITE down your own thoughts or inquiries.
