Our soul.
In his book on the soul, John Ortberg explores the meaning, purpose, and general significance of the soul. As a word that is used to identify a person (encompassing body, mind, and emotions), such as the number of ‘Souls on Board’ on a plane or ship, we instinctively use this word but do we fully understand it?
Dr. Ortberg frequently refers to and quotes his dear friend and mentor, Dallas Willard, who wrote, “Our soul is like a stream of water, which gives strength, direction, and harmony to every other area of our life. When that stream is as it should be, we are constantly refreshed and exuberant in all we do, because our soul itself is then profusely rooted in the vastness of God and his kingdom, including nature; and all else within us is enlivened and directed by that stream.” (* p. 15) In the Scriptures we read how we are compared to a tree thriving by streams of clean water. “How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, not sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.” (Psalms 1: 1-6 NASB) That is a powerful image of a strong tree nurtured by the water. Jesus is our Living Water, and “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” (John 7:38)
In his book, Dr. Ortberg relays the story of a stream tended by an old man on the mountain, who would clear debris and make sure the water stayed clear and clean. This stream provided water for villagers down the mountain. When it was not tended to, the stream would eventually become stagnant, and unfit for the people to use. (* pp.13-14)
Similarly, if we do not “tend” to our souls (that which makes each of us uniquely who we are), we too develop areas that essentially block or prevent the Living Water of Jesus to flow through us. We won’t thrive in our “innermost being”, if His Word is not what we meditate on, and have it show us what needs to be cleansed or removed (repented).
A Bible word study on the “soul” is a great way to learn about our soul and what to do to tend to our soul. One resource (www.archive.gci.org/articles/soul) says that the Old Testament Hebrew word for “soul” is “nephesh”, and appears over 750 times. In the New Testament, the Greek word is “psuche (or psyche)” and occurs over 100 times. Perhaps you aren’t inclined to study all those references, but ask the Lord to reveal to you, which areas in your own life/soul need to be addressed. As our loving Shepherd, Jesus will “restore” our souls (Psalms 23:3), and we have this very great promise that “the LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.” (Lamentations 3:25 NJKV) Various translations will word these verses slightly differently, but the meaning and significance is the same. Our Lord desires us to seek Him, and is good to those who do, and to those who wait on Him!
I have found that the best way to start, is to pray these words, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy Name!” (Psalms 103:1 NASB)
* Ortberg, John Soul Keeping: Caring for the Most Important Part of You
Zondervan Publishers 2014.