Fashioned for Soul Care
Kids are back at school, leaves are falling, and schedules are in full swing. Have you sat by a fire or fireplace, sipping your pumpkin spice coffee? I recently had an Apple Crisp Oatmilk latte that was amazing. There is much to love about FALL!
Fall brings football, weekend sports tournaments, crockpots of chili, crisp mornings, and fewer daylight hours. Unfortunately, while the daylight hours get shorter, my to-do list does not! I don't know about you, but sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night in a panic, trying to figure out how everything will get done. Have you ever felt that way? There is a saying, "Too blessed to be stressed," however, at times, what I experience is "Too stressed to be blessed." Just being real. Can I get an AMEN?
It's usually not BIG things that push us over the edge, but the drip, drip of the daily routine. Everyone wants a piece of you. You need some SOUL CARE.
How do you know you are running on empty? When I enter my office in Mechanicsburg, I often turn on my Bluetooth speaker, ready to set the atmosphere with worship music.
When turned on, I hear one of these three statements coming from the speaker.
· Battery Full
· Battery Half-Full
· Battery Low
I love to hear the battery is FULL, then I know I am good for the day. The other statements bring a warning and instruction. I can ignore them or use wisdom and connect my Bluetooth speaker to an electric source to charge it.
Have you had a moment when the Holy Spirit is warning you? You are "running on empty," and it won't be pretty if you do not recharge. You speak words and take actions that are hurtful to those around you. You are living on empty.
John Wesley, the Methodist church's founder, would ask, "How goes it with your soul?" Let me ask you that question today, my beautiful sister, "How goes it with your soul?"
Jesus never asks us to live out of our lack but instead our abundance. He desires his daughters to experience overflowing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control. However, in order to experience this abundance, we need soul care.
The disciples, who were with Jesus more than anyone else, got exhausted from giving out to people. Jesus had the solution for them and it’s the same for us. He instructed them to escape to a quiet, solitary place.
"Because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, [Jesus] said to [his disciples], 'Come [away] with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest. 'So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place." Mark 6:31-32
For most of us, it's hard to get time away by ourselves other than in the bathroom, and even that can be interrupted. And truthfully, when we have a few moments, we can be so attached to our phones, scrolling on social media, that we never get recharged.
That must change if we want to live and give our best lives.
Jesus said, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. "Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. "For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11:18-20
Here's an idea that I am incorporating into my life that may help you. On your Spotify, iTunes, or Pandora account, find an Instrumental Worship playlist; no words allowed. Once you have it, get comfortable and listen for five minutes (to start with) with your eyes closed and your hands cupped on your lap like you are ready to receive water in them—no reading or praying. You are just listening and receiving from the Holy Spirit.
I love this scripture in Isaiah 30:18
“So the Lord must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help.”
Set up your special time with Jesus. He is waiting for you! You are His girl; He loves you and wants to charge your spiritual battery.
I am fashioned for soul care. You are, too!
I love serving you during this season of leading PennDel Women!
Liz
