Circuit Thoughts

On Things to come.

Have you ever thought about what your soul is worth? I know that is an interesting way to start a conversation. But seriously, what do you think your soul is worth?

For many, a soul isn’t worth much. Going to church, Sunday school, Bible study, or even prayer group is not a priority. I know that some people have scheduling conflicts, but for many it becomes a choice as to what they truly want to do.

In Mark 10:17-27, Jesus encounters just that situation. A rather rich young man asks what it takes to inherit the Kingdom of God. Jesus points out that following the rules is a good start. The young man tells us that he does that and has been doing it all his life. Then Jesus says, “there is one thing more, give all you have to the poor and follow me.” The young man, who had many things, turned, and walked away. Here he had a chance at inheriting the Kingdom of God, and he blew it just so he could keep his stuff.

The rich young ruler thought his stuff was more valuable than his very soul. Isn’t it funny, we can be quick to condemn him, but are we really any different? What is our soul worth to us? For some, it is worth very little, because care of that soul is so lightly regarded. If you don’t believe me, look at your church. How full was it this past Sunday? What about your Bible studies and your prayer programs?

Now, I know that jobs often get in the way of worship. But what about the times when you don’t have to work? So many times, things are scheduled during church because, well, church isn’t important. Trophies tend to trump worship, or maybe it is trophy worship that trumps Godly worship. The value of the soul in today’s world seems to be very cheap. Priority goes to entertainment or attaining short-lived honors. Our entertainment, trophies and personal time are more valuable than the soul we were gifted with by our creator. As a minister, I find that extremely disquieting.

We have become convinced that the present is what is important. Our lives only have meaning if we are participating in some worldly activity. Our meaning is derived by how we excel at sports, academics, or employment. We have come to the point where we are identified with what we have done.

The thing is, we are supposed to be identified by to whom we belong. I think we have forgotten the most important part of our existence. We have forgotten about our relationship with Jesus Christ. That is the priority. We have lessened the value of our soul and we have fallen to the temptations of the world.

I truly believe that if you want to end many of the problems in this world, then we need to start prioritizing Jesus in our lives. We need to stop living for the world and restart living for Christ.

By the way. Christ thinks your soul is so valuable that it is worth dying for.

Just a thought.

Shalom my friends. See you in church.