Soul Care (and the Futility of Success)

All the success of this world is futile if our souls are not cared for.

This past weekend, my husband and I went to Parent’s Weekend for our oldest son who attends college eight hours away. As part of the schedule, we were able to meet with Daniel’s professors and various administrative staff. 

Near the beginning of our conversation with one administrator, he pleasantly surprised us by stating. “I’m not so much concerned with a student’s academic progress as I am with his soul. Academic success is futile if the state of the soul is not addressed.”

What refreshing words to hear in a world that idolizes productivity and life successes!

All the success of this world is futile if our souls are not cared for. Click To Tweet

It is easy to get caught up in planning our lives, providing for our families financially, and preparing our children for their future. All good things. Yet creating a name for ourselves, climbing the corporate ladder, creating a strong business, graduating with a 4.0 GPA, or even putting three square meals on the table means nothing if our souls are starving.

Soul Focus

“So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)

At times I admittedly have been focused on the wrong thing. I pay more attention to my children’s grades than I do their relationship with the Lord. I spend more time pursuing earthly pleasures than filling my soul with God’s truths. I strive to make a name for myself, for my glory, not His. 

And in our success-oriented, pleasure-seeking culture, that is the norm. The soul often gets pushed aside. Sacrificed for the temporal—something that is but a vapor. 

True Success

To find true success, we need to give Him control. Let Him direct our steps, carry our burdens, and receive our praises. True success is found in caring first and foremost for our souls. 

Soul care involves more than just a belief in the Lord’s existence. Even Satan believes that. 

Soul care is about knowing the One who loves you and surrendering your life to Him.

We were created to give God glory. As we do so, our souls are fed and success for eternity is achieved. 

The wise gentleman at my son’s college was right, “Academic success is futile if the state of the soul is not addressed.” Moreover, when the soul is cared for, success is guaranteed. Maybe not earthly success, but the most important kind, the kind that lasts for eternity.

Soul care is about knowing the One who loves you and surrendering your life to Him. Click To Tweet

“For I have often told you, and now say again with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction; their god is their stomach; their glory is in their shame. They are focused on earthly things, but our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 3:18-20)

Reflection: What temporal things threaten to overshadow soul care in your life? 

Linking with Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience in 2013 with my Joy Dare list for Multitude Mondays (#2187–2207, read the entire list by clicking here):

• Squeezing in 1 short game w/ my youngest before bed; Tylenol cold medicine; Seeing the fruit of my labor–thank u, God!
• Autumn leaves carried on the breeze; Fall mushrooms–cheesies, shaggy manes, puffballs–yum!; Dog-stray tomcat antics
• Rachel’s grin & squeal w/ each dressing task she accomplishes; Sound of water splling over the dam; Plan for Joey’s knee
• Endless inspiration; Squirrels “squirreling” away every fallen nut they can find; Baking for my college boy
• Mtg Dan’s college friends; Being reassured again that Dan’s at the right school; Awesome symphonic concert & jazz music
• Attending Danny’s college church home; Uneventful 8-hour drive thru gorgeous fall scenery; Finding apples & a trumpet
• Protection for Zach; Traveling with my hubby; Divine “coincidences” 
  

Also linking with this wonderful site:

By His grace ≈

Julie