UMR Communications is offering the latest headlines in the RSS format.
Commentary
REFLECTIONS: As did early Methodists, take time to tend the soul in quiet season of Lent Bishop Woodie W. White, Feb 24, 2010
Bishop Woodie White
By Bishop Woodie W. White UMR Columnist
“How is it with your soul?” is the way some early Methodists greeted each other. It was not a perfunctory greeting, but one filled with genuine caring and concern. The condition of one’s soul was a primary concern of religion of another era.
Soul concern seems to be waning among the faithful. Perhaps it is moving to a place of private religion, a subject not discussed even among people of faith. Perhaps it is thought to be too personal an inquiry.
We greet each other instead with what sounds to be caring language, but is essentially meaningless: “How are you?” “How are you feeling today?” Or even more casually, “What’s going on?”
Hardly anyone expects an answer! Most don’t have time to consider the conditions or concerns of others, even if they care. And soul talk? Well, that is clearly out of the question.
Lent can be a time for soul-tending or at least for soul-searching. I like this period of 40 days before Easter, when the entire Christian community seems to be focused inward. It is a time that is more reflective in movement. Worship seems more somber, hymns more introspective. It is a time of slowing down, listening, and looking inward.
The question of the condition of one’s soul does not require a response to others, but one’s self. It is not so much an accountability issue to the community as it is an assessment of one’s own faithfulness and discipleship. Really, one’s condition. Not just in doing, but perhaps more importantly in being.
How would you describe your soul? For me it is that God place in us, which Scripture says was a part of our creation in the image of God. Our essence. God in all of us. That God in us can be ignored and neglected—even rejected—or it can be embraced. It can guide and form us; even inform us. It can touch us in ways that no other reality can.
It can so illumine us as to help us make sense of all other reality. It can make us happy or content. Or sad and discouraged, when it appears that all around us is out of harmony with that God presence, that God will.
We are a busy people. In fact, there seems to be some status that we claim in the degree of our busyness. Often it is a sign of our importance when our schedule is full and calendar is packed a year in advance. Sometimes I think we are so engaged in doing God’s work that we scarcely have time for God! No wonder, we are reminded to “Be still and know that I am God.”
Perhaps Lent is a good time to be still, at least for some portion of each day. To take stock of one’s God place, one’s soul, one’s essence.
Just time for you and God. No book, no music, no “props.” You and God, examining and assessing. Perhaps even getting reacquainted. A time of touching and knowing and growing.
Here even tears are welcomed. And failures. These become moments of a remarkable sense of completeness or a realization of incompleteness. Really, moments of grace.
Then if someone should ask what no one seems to ask anymore, “How is it with your soul?” You can respond with utter confidence, “It is well with my soul!”
Retired Bishop White is the denomination’s Endorsing Agent for Chaplain Ministries and bishop-in-residence at Candler School of Theology.
Bishop Woodie White
