Today’s devotional is a continuation of the thoughts started yesterday answering the question and even living the life of affirming “How is it with Your Soul?”
DAY 2 – How IS IT WITH YOUR SOUL –
Honest Reflections From the Edges –
Shared from the journal writings of Pastor Calvin Cook
Matthew 4:18-20 18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.
The conversation that I had with Jesus on the Beach grew intense, almost argumentative. When told there was something greater, I would need to do when I escaped myself. Hearing the Spirit speak, “You are not here for you, you are here for me. Follow me.”
“Really?” I questioned “who needs me?” I stood waiting, looking out at the waves, the birds, the people walking the beach, the towering condominiums and vacation homes, and all the sights, smells, and senses the beach life offers. Nothing absolutely nothing, no response, no thunder, no angels, nothing. The resolve was to answer openly and honestly before the Lord God, Creator of the Universe. “How is it with your soul?”
The anguish of the prayers continued, “Come on God give me something, give me some direction, speak a word.” But nothing, only the continual annoying cry of the sea gull. Then my thoughts turned back to clearing my mind of everything that had been barraging against me, relationships, church work, business situations, financial concerns, retirement thoughts, walking away from everything and making a fresh start. I questioned, but how can I move forward in all of this, leave everything behind me and make a fresh start. How was I going to rebuild that which I had become used to and yet keep my desire of striving for holiness intact. Unfiltered and unchanged by the adulterous schemes of the evil one.
I paused, pulled out my journal and wrote these words – “I came to the beach to clear my head, but all I am hearing Jesus say is Follow Me. You are not here for yourself, but for me” I paused, “I’ve been following you, what more do you want me to do?” Again silence!
My thought process was drawn to another place, a place I had only read about but had been very meaningful and revolutionary to me all my life. It was a seashore or lakeside depending on what you want to call it, where this new itinerate minister showed up, with some new ways of relationship building with the Father. His name was Jesus, some thought him to be the coming Messiah that the Jews had been waiting and praying for, some thought he was just another traveling evangelist, some thought he was a snake oil salesman. But there was a difference in this man, a world changing, gospel sharing mission that would change everything. Yes, even change me on a beach 2000 years later.
Maybe our souls are still in disrepair because we have not recognized Jesus and what he wants to do in our life. Soul care is coming to that realization. What does God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit want to do in your life? How will you receive what God desires to do? The giving and receiving is the start in answering the question “How is it with your Soul?”
Prayer ~ Jesus meet with me alone, allow me to hear you speak. Quiet everything around me so all I hear is you. Amen
Thoughts from the Edges 
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