I still remember my great-aunt from the hills of Kentucky, USA. Aunt Anise had an old, covered water well in her backyard, which was absolutely amazing for a city boy like me. She also wrung chickens by the neck, plucked their feathers, and proceeded to cook the best, mouth-watering chicken with biscuits and gravy — long before Colonel Sanders started his Kentucky Fried Chicken® fast food business.

Aunt Anise knew her Bible. She also knew well her Lord Jesus. I especially learned many of her sayings, which stick with me to this day. Though I was a child, and I wasn't always sure what she meant, I still remember her saying throughout the day, "Well, bless my soul." Over and over again, she would repeat, "Well, bless my soul."

Thinking about it as an adult, it is a beautiful saying. As I replay these words in my mind, I am aware of Anise simply caring for her soul, which is a profound need, essential for a day and age such as ours. The soul, in fact, is the most important aspect of our being. The soul coordinates and organizes, while unifying the mind, heart, and will to love God and our neighbour as ourselves. Jesus said, "There is none other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:31b KJV) But we know how difficult they are to keep.

No surprise. In struggling with this commandment, we are aware of living in a secular culture. What that means is that many have tossed out of all consideration any miracles, revelation, heaven, and yes, even the soul. In eliminating the soul, humanity is set at risk.

My Aunt Anise would also speak of lost souls. So did Jesus:

Matthew 16:26 – For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (KJV)

A lost soul is separated from God and broken by sin. When we were born, our life with God was already lost, as was our soul. What is even more deadly is that when our priorities are out of balance, when our values are conflicted, and when our free will and decisions lack consequences, we find ourselves on a downward spiral.

One of my favourite verses in Scripture is the one in which David affirms that the Lord "restores my soul". (Psalm 23:3 NKJV) Today is the day for God to do some work within us so that we can do His work and we can feel free to exclaim, "Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee: How great Thou art! How great Thou art!"

Prayer: Almighty God, our soul sings for You: How great Thou art! Open the eyes of our soul today and help us to cast a vision of life with You. May our souls listen quietly as we hear Your Word. Then, speak Your truth and continue Your work in us so that our life may be born anew into the body of Christ. This we pray in His name. Amen.

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About the author:

Robin Jennings <robintjennings@gmail.com>
Louisville, Kentucky, USA
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