How can we even begin to address the issue of finding a soul mate without first addressing the condition of our souls? Rev. Cheryl Lenzley asked the piercing question that just lives with me. Do we know the condition of our souls? Do we even care to know? As a result of hosting many “Soulmate” discussions, it seems for the most part, that our souls are troubled, anxious, and unfulfilled. Our souls are damaged from past hurts and childhood wounds. Studies show that one in four women and one in five men have been abused as a child. There’s a hole in our souls.
Many of us try to fill that hole with things like money, sex, work, material things, achievement and food. Yet, the hole never seems to get filled. As my friend Shannon Tanner said in this month’s featured article, “Sex, Lies and Chocolate Cake,” “We settle for the hot dog when what we really want is the hot man.” But what we really “want” and what we truly need are often two different things. As long as we move though life with unexamined, wounded souls, we will continue to have the same relationships over and over again.
A satisfied soul loathes the honeycomb but to a hungry soul, every bitter thing is sweet. Proverbs 27:7
A soul that is full and satisfied doesn’t yearn for anything and is not tempted by any sweet thing, no matter how hot he(she) is. But to the hungry soul, even “junk food” looks good because when you’re hungry you’ll eat just about anything. Friends, our souls are hungry. As I mentioned in my previous blog, we are what we eat. Unfortunately, the “food” that the media and our culture serve up is junk at best and poison at worst. But we’re famished, so we eat… every bitter thing. The result: spiritual diabetes.
So, what satisfies our souls? Nothing but the presence of God. We attempt to fill our souls from the outside in when it can only be filled from the inside out.
The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. Psalm 23:1-3
God literally restores our damaged souls to the souls they were created to be. Most of us don’t know who we really are underneath all our pain and disappointments. It is only though an intimate relationship with God that we discover our true selves. It is only through an intimate relationship with God that we learn how to have intimate relationships with others.
So, how do you even begin to develop an intimate relationship with God, you ask? The same way you develop an intimate relationship with anyone else. You open the door of your heart, invite Him in and spend time with Him.
Andrea Wiley
President, Clean Heart Productions
4 comments:
This newsletter is an absolute blessing to me. It helps to confirm my convictions, shaped by God's Word, that are diametrically opposed to the world's. Admittedly, this is new territory for me in a lot of ways, because, despite the fact that I have been a believer of Christ for many years, I, too, was seduced by the many lusts of this world...cussing to express anger, eating too many sweets, and yielding to various other forms of selfishness, pride, and ego. I am so grateful that God decided to love me in spite of myself, and He, as an awesome expression of His love, forgave me and found a way to get me back on track. Now, I routinely examine my soul, asking God to remove any trace of ugliness that seeks to contaminate it. I want my vessel to be a clean one for my Lord, my Source, my Peace, my Protector, my Deliverer, my Hero, my Love, because I know this pleases Him and brings Him glory. And if I continue my mission of pleasing Him, surrendering myself to His will, to His purpose, to His plan, I am convinced that He will bless me with more than enough of everything I need for my journey through life...including the desires of my heart. It is my hope that as I continually remain watchful of the condition of my soul by keeping my eyes on Him, no matter what kind of hell is breaking loose around me, He will send a mate my way who is as least as diligent and viligant, and who possesses the many attributes that God deems appropriate and necessary, so that he will be a positive, edifying source for my children and me. In the meantime, I'll remain patient and content where I am, understanding that everything has its due season, and will remain steadfastly grateful for all God has done for my children and me. I look forward to the journey He wishes for me to travel. I can't wait to receive the next newsletter. It feels so good knowing I'm not alone out there. Be blessed.
Andrea, I love this blog :)-Mashawnda Dowell
Hallelujah! This is my first time visiting this site and I love it! I can identify! You told my story, my plight, my evolvement. Now I know that I am not alone and my thought processes are on target. I'm currently single after being married and divorced more than once. I now realize that it was my will and not God's will that led me to choose the husbands that I did. That is one of the reasons why the marriages didn't work. I'm on a journey now to learn how to be whole and complete just being me. I rely on no one other than my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Peace and blessings...keep it coming, I need you!
Thank you for that message. I definitely needed it. Thank God for always loving me and continuously reminding me that He loves me and that He willalways be there. In the midst of my walk, I have strayed, tested, and turned my back on His way. But GOD. He is still there. And His love has always remained faithful. Thank you for being obediant to what He has purposed you to do because it has reached me and I am stronger in my faith and to Him.
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