Landscape of the Soul
by Idelette McVicker
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“… He restores my soul.? Psalm 23:3 (NIV)
God is in the restoration business. He restored the Psalmist David’s soul and He desires to restore every soul.
When I first moved to Canada, I heard a pastor say: “You are a spirit, you live in a body and you have a soul.? This helped me gain a clearer understanding of my personhood, with the soul being my mind, will and emotions.
I began to understand that when I received Christ as Savior, my spirit was redeemed, but the work on my mind, will and emotions just began. In many places, the landscape of my soul was rather rocky. Christ wanted to bring beauty and wholeness—restoration—also to those places where the lies, hurt and disappointments had become part of the landscape.
One by one we removed the rocks and the rubble. We weeded and tilled. We worked on my soul quality.
About a year ago, while leading a group of women through an exercise on “watering? each others souls—speaking words of blessing and encouragement to one other—one of the participants said, “God has been restoring your soul in order that you may pour it out to others.? I believe this is God’s desire for every one of us. As we invite Christ into every place of brokenness, He restores us to beauty and wholeness, so that we may again pour it out to others. In this way, the desert may become a garden.
Dear God, Thank you for restoring my soul. Show me today where I can help water another soul and be part of your restoration process. Amen.
You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2009/10/27/im_landscape/
Tags: depend, God's love, Holy Spirit, hope, praise, sacrifice, serve, trust
October 27th, 2009 at 10:03 am
An amazing inspiring devotional.
Thank you Ms.McVicker. God bless you richly.
October 27th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
Dear Stephen
your inspirational word has streghten me much. especially the ddfinition of spirit, soul and body. i being a christian for quiet long and many times i don;t seem to recognise God's love for me and my family. today your message has add much to what i am struggling day-in and day-out. as a African (Ghanaian) living in Philippines i encounters difficuilties everyday of my life.
the rocky life of disappointment, struggle of what to eat daily with my family of four always brings...
October 28th, 2009 at 3:56 am
Lawrence, the credit should be given to Ms. McVicker, who is the author of the devotional,"Landscape of the Soul," not to me.
I am greatly inspired by this devotional as you did. I will pray for you. Trust in the Lord, I am sure, God may direct someone to help you in your present situation. Blessings.