Exploring the Importance of Soul Care

I sat still, so close to the keyboard and the microphone with the melodies floating through the air in the old barn, my soul transfixed in the moment of worship. Surrounded by beauty, the beauty of the place and the beauty of the people, my soul stirred within me as the evening darkened around us.

I found myself grateful.

Grateful for the space, for the time away from the mundane, for space for my soul to breathe.

The words of the hymn “Be Thou My Vision” slipped past my lips, a harmony rang out and my heart swelled with the truths in the ancient words.

Yes. This is what I desire. 

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;

It is true that the day to day sometimes squelches our souls.

On our best days, we care for our body with proper nutrition and exercise and then in the same day, neglect our spirit. And we wonder why we feel empty inside.

Instead of that emptiness, today my soul experienced life.

What a gift to be in the presence of life-giving souls like Emily Freeman and Christa Wells for the At the Barn: A Day for Writers event. Emily and Christa offered truth through story and song with humility and refreshing authenticity. They’re faithfully living out God’s calling on their lives, using the gifts and talents God’s blessed them with and sharing their lives openly with others.

Their lives are a beautiful picture of how God uses our own brokenness and imperfections to continue to draw others closer to Him. Often much to our surprise, He uses us in spite of our weaknesses and sometimes even because of them.

So friends, I implore you. It’s time to prioritize the care of our souls.

God created us in His image, we are to be His image-bearers. To carry out that calling on our lives, we must pay attention to the status of our souls. We must listen to the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit within us and allow His presence to be our Guide and Comforter and we learn to calibrate our souls once again.

Join me in reflecting on these words and the music and determine what small step you will take today to care for your soul.

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.