Soul

“You don’t have a soul.  You are a soul.  You have a body.” 

-C.S. Lewis

How much time have you spent working out this week? (If you are like me, you may be saying “not enough”)

 Have you ever heard anyone talk about spiritual exercises?  There is such a thing, you know.  Bible study is a spiritual exercise.  Praying is a spiritual exercise.  Bringing more awareness into your life is a spiritual exercise.  Breathing can be a spiritual exercise.  Writing in a gratitude journal is a spiritual exercise. 

Sometimes just finding the strength to mop the floor and do the laundry is a spiritual exercise.  I like to think hanging out with friends and laughing is a spiritual exercise.  

The point is, we need to work on our spiritual muscles as much as our physical muscles.  When this body is gone, our souls live on.  Isn’t that the irony?  As our bodies decay and become weaker, our souls become wiser and stronger. 

 Body acceptance is a tough thing.  But when I look at that quote I realize that my body is temporary.  It’s like my soul is being allowed to reside there for now but eventually, my body will give out.  I will not die but my body will. 

 Just like anything we borrow, we should take good care of it.  We should appreciate it.  We should not ruin it or abuse it in any way.  But also just like anything we borrow, we know we have to give it back.  We know it won’t last forever.  We can enjoy it and have fun with it and then give it back when it’s time…with gratitude.