The whole world is worth less to a man than his soul. What if we were talking about less than the whole world. What about just a sizeable chunk of the world? Houses, cars, yachts, maybe a private jet or two, jewellery, gold and diamonds... That seems like a pretty impressive collection to possess. Yet Jesus said ones soul is worth more than even all those possessions. Many have come to understand that one can be surrounded by opulence and comfort, and yet still have a vast desert in the depths of their heart and soul.

 

Now, here is the challenge. What kind of person, if they really thought it through, would put accumulating these possessions ahead of the health of their soul? And yet, so many are willing to do just that.

 

Many people seem focused on getting as much as they can get, working themselves to the point of exhaustion, sometimes ignoring family and relationships, and with that, not darkening the doors of a church, and all for grasping at the illusion that one more possession, or one more thing, will bring joy to their soul. If things were to bring satisfaction, we should have been the most satisfied generation in all history. But it is clear we are not.

 

In partial recognition of the above, many are getting the revelation of work/life balance. They are starting to understand that success is not worthwhile if ones mental health crumbles, physical health fails, loving relationships dissolve and they find themselves sitting alone and broken, but surrounded by the newest and the latest and the shiniest of gadgets. This might be a good recognition to come to, but there needs to be more than that.

 

Jesus was saying that our soul ought be in tune with God and our spirit made alive by him. With that relationship secured and flourishing, we can from there, live out our daily life and aspirations. Secure in our life with Him, sins forgiven by Gods grace, our soul in His hands, and being guided and led by the Holy Spirit, the rest of our life can begin to find proper order. It is Gods plan that we live calm and peaceful lives that emanate out of a good and proper relationship with Him.

 

So the work/life journey has a starting point, and that is a good, solid, warm relationship with the Lord. As that relationship starts, develops, and finds its proper expression, one moves into that place where Gods word and presence and power give direction to us.

 

The peace of God becomes a guiding factor in our lives. It can be the sort of peace that might flash red lights in a situation, saying dont go there, or amber lights saying slow down a bit in this situation, or green lights saying go for it. Jesus said that the peace He gives, is different from the sort of peace that the world gives.

 

The apostle Paul also knew the extremes of having lots and great abundance, but also having nothing and fearing for life itself. He said that he had learned to be at peace whether up on high, or down in the depths. He could say this because he knew his soul was safe in the hands of the Lord.

 

We also can be at that place of resting in Gods hands, safe in His grace for every situation, confident in His power to keep us, and expectant that He will never leave us abandoned and without resources. Our starting point to get to this is confidently entrusting our soul to His care, and from there, living out our life in this material world.

 

Friend, be encouraged that God wants you to prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers. 3 John 1:2