In our culture today, being busy, productive and relevant is glamorized.   We pack so much into our schedules.  Many of us are stressed out and tired.  At times, our lives feel like that of a hamster running on the wheel in a cage.  Is this the abundant life Jesus talked about in John 10:10b "I have come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly"?  Earn more so we can buy more, which means work more hours and then perhaps even more hours, and the pace of the spinning wheel becomes faster.  Just writing this, and probably reading this, our anxiety level increases. Saying no for some us is a major challenge, so we continue to do things for others, our church, our family, our boss.... the list goes on.  The cost is often great, but we press on.  I wonder what God might say to you and to me when our lives become this way?  I think I have an idea and a few verses come to mind.  One is Psalm 46:10a and it's a favorite: "Be still and know that I am God....", These words are such a straightforward call for us to BE STILL so that we can know or experience God.  This is often so contrary to the lives we may be living.

So what is soul care and maybe more importantly, why is it necessary?  Jesus gives us our best examples when He retreats away from others to be with His Father.  These are times of solitude and it is apparent that this is when His Father feeds His soul.  Jesus often says things like "I only do what my Father tells me to do" or "I only say what my Father has told me".   The argument could be made that it was during these times of solitude, when He was alone with His Father, that He was provided with this information.  He positioned himself to be still and to hear the voice of His Father.  He was not trying to "do more ministry" or work harder and longer, but rather he spent the necessary time to care for his own soul, so that He could carry out His Father's plans, and care for the souls of others.

Soul care is just that...taking the time to care for your soul.  A time of retreat to be restored, to taste the abundant life which comes from being aware of the presence of God, listening to His voice, and fixing your eyes on Him.  It's a time to step off the hamster wheel.  Each of us is created uniquely and "wired" differently so soul care likely does not look the same for everyone.  However, it does seem necessary to step away from "life in the cage", to slow down, to be still and allow yourself to be free of expectations, distractions and agendas.   What might that look like for you?