While walking along the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida, the strap of my favorite pair of sandals broke. It was a graceful sight to behold as the sole flopped free, sending me stumbling forward.

So what’s a girl to do?

She grabs a hair-tie from her purse and essentially ties the sole of the shoe to her foot. It looked a little wonky, but it worked–at least until I could purchase another pair of shoes.

I hated to part with those sandals since my daughter gave them to me as a gift. Plus, they had just the right amount of bling.

Tying it All Together

It’s a tad crazy how our English language can be so confusing with all our homophones. But there is something about sole and soul that struck me. For some, the meaning of each is tied together in unhealthy ways.

When I polled my readers about what kept women back from walking in their calling, a recurring theme continued to emerge–lack of self-worth.

So how then is sole and soul tied together?

When a woman feels her life has no meaning, has no value, that she’s insignificant and possesses no worth, it’s as though she is saying her soul is no better than a worn-out sole of a broken shoe.

The sole of a shoe connects with all things dirty and is being continually pressed beneath the weight of the entire body. It can be a reflection of her own distorted perception of the value of her soul.

But what if we considered the purpose of the sole? What if we realized its value according to its purpose? That it protects the foot from injury and is the very foundation of the shoe. When we see things in a new way, we can appreciate the value of being created for a purpose.

The world’s definition of value skews our perception, but God’s definition of value is grounded in His sacrifice for us.

We Must Awaken to the Value of the Soul

When I told you about my shoe, I was sure to mention I was walking in St. Petersburg, Florida to distinguish it from St. Petersburg, Russia. But although they are continents apart, the two are tied together.

Peter Demens named the Florida city after his hometown of St. Petersburg, Russia. He established a railroad in Florida, and do you want to hear something funny? The only passenger on that first train ride was a shoe salesman from Savannah. I guess you could say he was in the business of knowing the value of a sole.

We must awaken to the value of our souls in Christ. Those feelings of no self-worth, insignificance, worry, shame, fear? They diminish the perceived value of the souls Jesus thought precious enough to die for. Yours, mine, and everyone else’s. Notice I said perceived value because the true value remains constant.

Getting to the Heart of this Soul Business

So what is the soul and where is the soul?

Similar to the sole of a shoe, it is a part and a whole. As the sole is part of the shoe and also the foundation that ties the entire shoe together, we can understand the soul to be the most central component of a person while representing the entire person.

Christian philosopher, Dallas Williard, who is known for his work in Spiritual Formation, states it this way:

Now a soul is essentially the component of a person–as is the mind and will, which are among its essential parts–and does not exist without a person whose soul it is. It or its parts cannot lie around like a spare part of an automobile or computer. But it is equally true that persons do not exist without a soul. A person is a living entity that has a certain kind of life: primarily one of self-determination in terms of adopted values, with the possibility (and vital need) of worship. The soul is that entity within a person that integrates all of the components of his or her life into their life, one life.

http://www.dwillard.org/articles/individual/spiritual-disciplines-spiritual-formation-and-the-restoration-of-the-soul

Soul Transformation

Deep transformation of our soul only happens through Christ and Christ in us. We are being sanctified day by day and reflect more and more of the character of Christ; it is He who created what is inmost within us.

We have a responsibility to value what we have been entrusted with. We must practice soul-care not only for ourselves, but so we can be healthy disciples who offer soul-care to others.

We cannot fully love the Lord without our whole soul.

Soul-Care

Our soul can be refreshed, find rest, be forfeited through choosing the world over God, and become downcast. Our soul is simply complex and cannot be neglected.

When our soul is downcast it is not a reason to look down on ourselves, it is a reason to engage in soul-care practices. Even when we are thriving, caring for the soul is essential to overall spiritual health.

What are some soul-care practices?

• Revitalize–The Body of Christ is a central place to find healing and growth. Stay in community with your church family.
• Remember–We are on a spiritual journey and there is joy in that truth. Hide God’s Word in your heart so His truth envelops your soul. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit (Galatians 5:25).
• Repent— In his book, Soul Care: 7 Transformational Principles for a Healthy Soul, Dr. Rob Reimer says this: “God shines His light into our hearts. He reveals what is there. When our minds, hearts, and behaviors are out of alignment with Him, He shows us the truth. We have, in that moment, an opportunity to get back into alignment. We simply need to say yes to God. We need to acknowledge our sin and bring it into the light.” Name the sins you know and ask God to cover those committed you do not consciously know. Be forgiven, forgive yourself, and forgive everyone else no matter the wrong. That’s the only way to make it right with God. As much as we need forgiveness, we also need to forgive.
• Recognize–Is there a bitter root within you? Ask God to reveal it and for Him to help you be rid of it. It takes work but God is with you. Ask for God to direct you to those He has called to help.
• Restore–Your relationship with God cannot be replaced by anything else in your life. Return to your First Love. Jesus binds up our wounds but we must remove our own self-made bandages first.
• Rest–God rested, gives us rest, and He desires that we receive it, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:29 NIV

Discover the precious value of your soul. Your life has purpose and God has divine plans for you to walk in. Be acutely aware of the condition of your soul and drink in spiritual nourishment the Lord provides.

Tend to the health of your soul so your soles can walk where He leads you.

How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news (Romans 10:15b).

You are valued and dearly loved. You are not a a worn sole you are a warm soul.

In the Precious Name of Jesus,

Doris