Advent: Soul Care

    Dec 22, 2018 | by Meg Sumner

    Advent 2018 Week 4 –Soul Care
    A Series of Reflections by Meg Sumner

    The Question

    What is it that your soul needs?  I was listening to a podcast recently which asked just that question. It took me a while to even think about.  It’s easy to think about the things I need to get accomplished before Christmas, or the events we have coming up, but it’s very difficult to hear what my soul needs.

    It’s very difficult to prepare our soul for Christmas.  Can we even do that?   The dictionary calls our soul the spiritual part of a human being.  Others say our souls are a mix of our feelings, character, and thoughts.  I view it more as the inner part of you that can communes with God. Dallas Willard in his book Renovation of the Heart reminds us that “it is not reasonable to think that the soul would be properly cared for when it isn’t even seriously acknowledged.”  Friends, are you acknowledging your soul and caring for it this season?  The great mystery of this question is that God holds the answer.  God knows exactly where your soul is at this season, and what it needs to grow and mature in the season around the corner.  You see this soul question, although good to ask this fourth week of Advent, is a question that we need to continue to ask after this season has past.

    The Practice

    The practice that I would encourage you to try this week is Silence and Solitude.  Before you roll your eyes and tell me all the reasons you cannot do this, I want you to ask yourself again, “what does my soul need and am I willing to acknowledge it?”  You see, I think those questions, the one that breathes air into our being, that realigns our tasks, cannot be asked or answered in a rush.  God is waiting with the answer but the fast paced narrative that this world sells us is not His. So enter into some silence, even 10 minutes to ponder and slow down.

    Guided Questions

    As you slow yourself down…ask yourself a few guided questions, and if that feels a bit to strange, ask a dear friend or spiritual director to work through them with you.

    Q1) "What is my soul needing?"

    • This doesn’t need to be anything profound. Your soul might need sleep, it might need hope, your soul might need some connection time with other people. 
    • Write it down. We are forgetful.  The practice of writing it down also allows you time to re-evaluate and continue thinking and reflecting even after you leave a time of silence.

    Q2) "What is God offering to my soul?"

    • Think of Scriptures that talk about God as a Giver of good gifts and list any that jump out to you. Take one of those verses, memorise it, and ponder it.  Ask God the Giver to grant you that for which you are praying.
    • You could also think of a characteristic of God that your soul needs (patience, love, joy, faithfulness, steadfastness). Write down why your soul would benefit from that attribute.  Ask God for an increase of it in your life.

    Q3) "What is one way I could plan for on-going soul care?"

    • Read a book that will foster your spiritual growth (ask Brad, Wally, Mike, Jenna or myself…we would gladly give you our top picks)
    • Listen to a podcast that gives you time to ponder and slow down (I have enjoyed the app “Pray as you Go” – a daily, 10 minute, guided liturgy that helps me connect with God)
    • Join a Life Journaling group to help with Scripture intake
    • Join a Life Group that asks deeper questions
    • Make corporate worship a priority and view it as soul care for yourself as well as an activity that assists you in supporting the soul care of others.
    • The list is endless! Remember: ask God. God is gentle and will prompt, and then do as He directs.

    If you are struggling to connect in this way, it can be helpful to think of a time when you felt your soul was alive.  What brought that about?  What was going on in your life?  Maybe there is a habit or activity that you can re-ignite this upcoming season.

    The thing about silence and solitude is that I have found is that it is not easy. But once I have practiced it and found my “comfy spot”– it’s the best time I spend with God.  It’s often in those times God reminds me how dearly I am loved by Him, and really…that is exactly what Advent is about.  God, coming to meet us, to tell and proclaim how loved you really are.  How God so loved this world that He gave His Son.  This Advent, be reminded that God is saying that to you.  He is whispering that to your soul. So in this still time between Christmas and New Year’s, take the time to be quiet and listen.

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