How's Your Soul?

This book was recommended by a friend in the summer and it has taken me this long to get to it but I am so grateful that I finally had the chance to read it. How's Your Soul? by Judah Smith takes us past the usual "How are you?" question to really get to a deeper level of relationship. Our life gets so busy and it is easy to respond that we are fine or good when someone asks us how we are but if someone takes the time to ask about our soul, that makes us stop and really evaluate our state of health and well-being.

As I began reading the book, I was drawn in immediately for two reasons: the content from a grounded Christian perspective and the humour with which Judah writes. Judah Smith is Pastor of the City Church in Seattle and his personality shows through. I can imagine he is a vibrant speaker. As I read the book, I would laugh out loud and then would want to share with Terry, who didn't always appreciate me reading my book out loud to him as he was trying to read his own book.

The opening chapter is entitled Home Sweet Home where Judah has us reflect on the comforts of home and how even after traveling, we all long to return home (well, sometimes I wonder about that when I am in Maui). If our physical body desires to return home, then what about the soul? Does our soul have a home? When was the last time my soul was at home? And so begins the premise of the book.

If you stop to think about that last question, how do you respond? When was the last time your soul felt at home? Has it been awhile? Why is that? Do you want to get back to that? How do you think that you can get back to that peace of a soul that feels at home? Sometimes when I reflect when my soul felt at home, I think of when we are in Maui and enjoying the paradise of God's creation or when I am in the mountains again taking in all that God has blessed us with. But then I asked myself the question, if that is what it is to have my soul feel at home, then how can my soul experience that daily, not just because of a change of location?

"You can have millions in the bank, a Maserati in the driveway and more Instagram followers that the pope, but unless your soul is healthy, you won't be happy." I don't know about you but I don't have millions in the bank, I drive a Highlander, and I don't have many Instagram followers; all which is just fine by me. "Conversely, you might be struggling through the most painful, confusing circumstances of your life, but if your soul is in a healthy place, you will be okay. You will find strength and hope you need to weather the storms." What a peace it brought me by reading that as it brings me the perspective that in all things, life will be okay, even when they don't seem that they ought to be.

We take care of our physical bodies, eating well, exercising, annual doctor's visits. But we don't often focus on our souls, especially as life gets so busy. But we should make this a focus. We should openly talk and be transparent about the health of our souls and talk about the mental health issues that often overwhelm. It would be a good starting place so that we can begin to find a little of that happiness and joy and have the support of those around us. Life is meant to be more than struggles and tragedy. It is meant to be amazing because God intended it to be so. Judah writes about living with the end in mind, living with heaven in mind, as it helps us shape our present.

Judah writes about our souls being home when they return to God. We were created by God and He is the one who breathed life into us. Many feel like they can't return home though because they feel they are not good enough. That they are too flawed and imperfect. We are all on a journey but sometimes we forget how to love authentically with those around us who are also on the journey; when someone loves us right where we are, knowing that just like them, we are a work in progress.

We tend to go through life assuming that at times when we lack peace and rest for our souls, we need to be more in control and we start planning, rather than letting Christ direct our steps. But we can't guarantee anything in our life. Only God can. We need to be who God called us to be, not letting our confidence or ambition take over. Judah give lots of good advice in this book about boundaries, effective work, and identity.

We need to remember where our identity comes from how it guides our choices. At the heart, Jesus calls us to live a life focused on Him, rather than one that is focused on self and the things of this world. Remembering that we are not defined by our failures or successes but our position and our relationship in Jesus. It is not our successes that will save us but through the grace we have in Christ Jesus. Often we are our worst enemies as we are so hard on ourselves and find it hard to move on from past failures, choices, or mistakes. We all sin and we all fall short of the glory of God but we are forgiven by the work Jesus did on the cross - a free gift.

With Jesus we belong. We belong to Him and it is not about anything we have to do. When we define ourselves in Jesus, we are blessed and free. What an incredible salvation we have. As we walk with Him, we may not always get it right, but in Him we can always find forgiveness. Often the hardest part is forgiving ourselves. God promises to love and guide us on the journey. Isn't that a journey worth taking?

"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." ~Philippians 1:6

It all starts and ends with our walk with God. Allow God to work in you. Allow a soul-level change, one that is authentic and lasting. One that has us living our life with the end in mind - our eyes and souls - focused on Heaven. When we live our life in light of eternity, with heaven being our end goal, it changes our perspective on how we live. It changes everything and leads to happier and healthier souls.

AWAKEN! DREAM! Live a soul-filled life. Find hope and health for your soul. Eternity is calling. Allow Christ to live in your heart.

"[God] has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart." ~Ecclesiastes 3:11

My mind felt renewed through reading this book. I have heard much of what I read between the pages, through reading other books, the Bible and from sermons over the years. But everyone goes through times in their life where they need to be reminded, perhaps over and over again, of what matters and how it can be applied. Judah reminded me of how to care for my soul. How to care for my soul in the busyness of life. It is easy to get caught up in being busy and taking control of our life. It is much more difficult sometimes to just admit our shortcomings and failures and admit that we sometimes define ourselves by the world's standards. Coming HOME to HIM is a welcome start on the journey and it is never to late. I encourage you to read this book, you are welcome to borrow it.

How's Your SOUL? Are you ready to get back to that peace of a soul that feels at home?