bulimic.

“What can a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:37

   People forfeit their souls to gain the world. The sad fact is, they often don't even realize that they're doing it. They seek fun, pleasure, and entertainment, doing whatever makes them happy. Yet behind their empty smiles is a soul that is decaying and fading away.

   What will a man give in exchange for his soul? Money, cars, sex, fame. They're all so appealing, fun, and enticing. If they weren't, people wouldn't be attracted to them. They become treasures, and therefore, hearts become united with them [for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:21)].

   The soul is not slow to follow. It simply starts with a seemingly harmless desire for those things. “Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. Do not be deceived” (James 1:15-16). While their hearts are being united with their worldly treasures, their souls are rotting and following their lusts into Sheol.

   Because the things of this world are so attractive, it often seems impossible to avoid them. “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another” (Galatians 5:16-17). I've heard it described as two dogs fighting against each other. The one you feed, grows; the one you starve, dies. When we starve our flesh by denying it of its lusts, we are putting it to death. However, when we nourish our soul with the very things that God desires, then it becomes strong and the flesh can't even stand up against it. “For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life” (Galatians 6:8).

   This truth should be on the forefront of our minds. Are we feeding our souls, or craving the things that our flesh desires? We need to be meditating on the Word, hiding it in ours hearts so that we might not sin against God (Psalm 119:11). We need to pray without ceasing, for the prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective (James 5:16). We need to also obey authority and submit to them, for they keep watch over our souls (Hebrews 13:17). The list could go on and on.

   Here at Potter's Field Ranch, food is constantly being placed in front of my soul. However, I still need to be diligent in accepting its nourishment. Do I take to heart the words of truth that are spoken to me, or do I just let them pass through my ears? Do I apply the Word of God that I have been studying here, or am I just a hearer? I do not want to be a bulimic Christian, seemingly eating the food in front of me while I am only regurgitating it so that I have a good appearance. I need to let it settle and take root, so that my soul may find its nourishment, and I may be fully equipped to walk in the good works that were prepared beforehand for me (Ephesians 2:10). And when it's hard to swallow, I will seek the refreshment of Living Water.

   Lord, thank you for your loving grace. Help me to receive all that you have for me during my short time here at the Ranch. Let your Word take root, and your wisdom spring forth in my life. Nourish my soul, so that when I step out into the mission field I will be well prepared to carry out your will. Give me the strength to starve my flesh, so that I may serve you alone for the rest of my life. You are worthy.

Joshua 24:15

“If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve... but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”