Soul Neglect!

March 18, 2021

Soul Neglect!

Last week, I received a postcard from my dentist reminding me about an appointment to do a check up on my teeth next week.  Three months ago, my doctor called and left a message the week before he wanted to do a check up on my blood work. 

I like these reminders.  More importantly, I need these reminders.  I need a reminder to focus on my physical health.  But, what about my spiritual health?  When was the last time you received a postcard or a phone call that reminded you to focus on the health of your soul?

We focus on the health of our body but often neglect the health of our soul.  The irony is our body will only last 80 or so years while our soul will live forever.  Maybe the focus on our health should include both our body and our soul.

Our soul can get sick, too.  In Psalm 88, the composer feels “as good as dead” because his soul is so deeply troubled.  His soul is troubled and helpless and abandoned as well as imprisoned and trapped and alone.  His soul is over-whelmed with a deep sadness.  Listen to the cry of his soul in Psalm 88:3-9

 “I am deeply troubled and close to death; I am as good as dead and completely helpless.  I am no better off than those in the grave, those you have forgotten and no longer help.

“You have put me in the deepest and darkest grave; your anger rolls over me like ocean waves.  You have made my friends turn in horror from me. 

“I am a prisoner who cannot escape, and I am almost blind because of my sorrow.”

Our soul often ends up sick with sorrow because we have failed to pay attention to the health of our soul.  We sometimes choose to neglect our soul.  The composer of Psalm 88 describes well what happens when the human soul is neglected.

The 40-days of Lent are an invitation to pay attention to the health of our soul.  We can look at the season of Lent like a postcard from a dentist or a phone call from a doctor.  Lent is an invitation to focus on the health of our soul. 

I like the way the composer of Psalm 42 describes the deepest desire of our soul.  He describes my soul’s (he uses the word “heart”) desire for health and holiness as a “thirst for more of the Lord God.”  Listen to the call of the human soul in Psalm 42:1-4.

“As a deer gets thirsty for streams of water, I truly am thirsty for you, my God.  In my heart, I am thirsty for you, the living God.  When will I see your face?  Day and night my tears are my only food, as everyone keeps asking, ‘Where is your God?’  Sorrow floods my heart…”

Our soul has a deep thirst that can only be quenched through a growing relationship with the Son of God, Jesus.  When this soul-thirst is neglected, tears will trickle down our cheek and sorrow will over-flow our soul.

I imagine you have a friend who has neglected the health of their soul for a little while or a long while.  You can see the absence of their joy and peace as well as a dwindling hope and shrinking love for other people.  Your friend needs you to pray for them and visit with them about the health of their soul. 

When the deep thirst of your friend’s soul begins to be quenched by Jesus, the troubles will not seem so impossible and the helplessness will not seem so unending.  Along the way, their heart and your heart will take delight in the Lord. 

Let us dare to pay attention to the health of our soul during this season of Lent.

Take Delight In The Lord! Doug