Axis Podcast Bible PlanSample

Soul

I found myself (Erin) at one of my darkest most meaningless times of life, living on a one-dimensional plane, surviving, not really aware or caring. I was carrying out my existence in a fog and had really turned away from the Christian values I knew were vital to thriving, almost to the point of not knowing how to dig myself out. Then one day I had enough! I was tired of the darkness and trying to manufacture a reason for living. I knew my soul had become stagnant and atrophied. 

Thankfully, in that moment, I remembered the example with which I was raised—seeing my parents and grandparents spend daily time in The Word and praying; something I had done in my early years, but never placed real value on motivating myself to carry out. I decided what the heck? It can’t hurt anything to try! That simple decision hugely impacted my life for living from a new place of purpose. 

I started out sitting quietly with a Psalm and meditating and praying over my life. It just grew and evolved from there. Sure, there were moments I didn’t feel anything or didn’t want to do it, sometimes skipping for days, but it’s a time I’ve now come to treasure and can’t live without. So much so that I can’t help but keep myself from bossing others to do the same! 

You see, my soul was awakened.

The human soul is the deepest place in us where we encounter God. It is a spiritual organ that allows us to communicate, hear from, and have a personal relationship with Him—to entwine our lives into His life. 

I learned as a child how to have a personal relationship with Jesus. It started with head knowledge and copying what I saw others doing. I won’t say that I didn’t encounter God during those years, but I didn’t really know how to move that head knowledge into an inner knowing; how to deepen my soul and increase its strength. 

At Axis Podcast one of the biggest ways we encourage you to build and maintain a healthy growing spirit is DAILY time in God’s Word as part of your strong axis. If this spoke on your axle is off you will most certainly struggle with your mind and body as well. 

The beauty of our individuality is that this will look different for each one of us. You may prefer a cozy chair and a cup of coffee to get your spirit quieted. You may like a bench in a park, a walk and talk with God on your lunch break, or kneeling at your bed before going to sleep. Wherever and whenever works best for you, this daily ritual is vital in keeping yourself aligned with God. (We will always argue that the first thing in the morning is best as it will help set the trajectory for your day!) 

Another part of an awakened spirit is learning to talk to God throughout your day—not just during your quiet time. Maybe your prayers are quick requests, deep breaths where you just say, “God, You know”, and asking Him for guidance with each task you encounter. Living this way, entwined with Him, will keep your axis sturdy and your life cycling in the right direction even when the ordinary, tough, or mundane things of life crowd in. 

There are going to be days where you might not really hear from God. Many times you won’t feel like taking the time or making the mental space to crack open the Bible. Just as we talked about the importance of moving the body, the spirit works very similarly. It is a muscle that needs daily movement to keep it growing. This intentional daily time sets a tone for hearing and walking with God amidst the mediocrity or craziness of your day. God is always there, we just need to learn to interact with Him and with practice, we learn!  

Is your spirit healthy and thriving?

Do you spend time using your spiritual organs to fellowship with God?

Do you talk to Him throughout the day?

Erin