Knowing the value of my soul - a step on the journey

NORSK

If my soul is worth more than the whole world, the same value must also apply to every individual soul. It means that the soul is irreplaceable, and Jesus put it all in perspective:

What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?    

Matt 16:26

I do not know if the Norwegian artist Ole Paus was thinking about this verse when he several years ago said: ‘We have it all, but that's all we have’. Anyway it belongs in under the same label, and at least two prime-ministers have used the quote in their sermons to the nation. The theme is familiar and it appears frequently in old evangelical songs, like “I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold; I'd rather be His than have riches untold”

Jesus himself had to resist the temptation (1), and preserved his soul through worshiping and serving the Lord God. Materialism has a huge influence on us humans, and unfortunately a Christian confession does not always include the virtue of "godliness with contentment". When Paul wrote on this subject to Timothy, he warned even against those who 'believe godliness is a means of gain' (2).

With all my heart I want to quote:

'Manna' for today

 My soul is not for sale!

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(1) Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

Matthew 4:8-9

(2) see the reflection: “…and along comes the money issue”

Knowing what to ‘lose my life’ means - a step on the journey

NORSK
On the journey to Jerusalem Jesus is intensifying the teaching of the twelve disciples. He gives them glimpses of deep spiritual truth, but they fail to understand (1):

For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.
Matt 16:25

For me this is one of the key-verses in the Bible with regard to finding rest in the mystery of what the life in Christ really is.

The Greek word translated 'life' in this verse, is the word 'psyche', which can also be translated 'soul' - and some translations choose the variant or introduce it in the next verse (2). I do not think Jesus primarily made reference to the 'physical life'. Therefore, I prefer 'soul', for the soul is the seat of my understanding, my emotions and my personality – including my will. I do not think I am much different from other people. I want to understand, I want to feel, I want to have control over who I am. It is a basic human need to want to save his life. 

According to Maslow's pyramid of needs (see illustration), safety is what I seek as soon as my physiological needs are covered. The feeling of having control makes me safe and belongs to our most basic needs. To hand over control to God, is really to lose my life, fortunately to be able to find it again as a new creation in Christ. When I handed over the control to God, this also included surrendering my claim to understand or feel everything that happens, and I entrusted to him the transformation of my personality and my will.

This is not 'one' step, but 'a' step, because it is a step I have to take every day until I reach his destination for my journey.

‘Manna’ for today:

I am so happy that I lost my 'life' and found a new life in Him

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(1) The understanding was revealed to them by the Spirit after Pentecost
(2) Matt 16:26

It is about my 'Holy Place'

NORSK
I want to continue to use the allegoric illustration of the Temple - and I now move from the human
spirit (The Most Holy Place) which represents man’s consciousness of God, to the human soul (The Holy Place) which represents man’s consciousness of self. The Holy Place was only accessible for a chosen elite. I am setting the rules with regard to whom I “admit” into my “Holy Place”. They become my “chosen people” and will be able to share my innermost thoughts, emotions and know my real personality.

The Greek word for soul 'psychē' can also translate “life”. It is important to bear this in mind when I read one of Jesus' well known sayings – which I think is crucial when we deal with subject of holiness:

For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.
Matt 16:25

My soul is very often a hindrance for the Spirit to move freely in my Sanctuary. The human inclination is the desire and even felt need to:

• understand before believing
• feel before believing
• think: “consequences for me” before believing – (am I willing to…?)

May be it is possible to write this challenge as a formula:

Intellect + Emotions + Personality = the soul = the life
(which man is inclined not to lose)

When I dare to invite the Holy Spirit, not only into my Most Holy Place, but also into my Holy Place, I in many ways lose my life, but I find it again – and what I find is better than what I lost.  And:

'Manna' for today:

A holy pilgrimage has begun!

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