For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. —Romans 15:4

Friday, June 24, 2011

My Soul

Matthew 16:26
What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?

My daughter and grandchildren dropped me off at the airport. Flying for only the second time in my life gave me butterflies. Not a seasoned traveler, I read ahead of time about what I needed to do to pass through security. As I walked into the gate, I removed my shoes and my jewelry. I took my laptop out of my bag and put everything in the bins that would roll through the security check. That done, I walked through the “people scanner”. As I went through, the machine beeped like the security gate at our library does when someone forgets to check out a book. What did I forget? My hair barrettes-yikes-they were metal. I took them off and put them in a bowl to send through. I entered the people scanner again. Beep, beep, beep. Now what? I was down to my clothes. The women checking me in asked me if I had on a belt, a metal implant, etc. No, none of those. What I forgot was that I was wearing my knee brace due to all the walking in the airport. I should have smacked my forehead at that point, but instead I graciously removed my brace, put it on the belt and walked through beep free.

The situation left me a bit flummoxed. There I stood at the airport feeling vulnerable, no shoes, no watch, no rings, my hair hanging in my face and I was standing on my unstable knee. To get through security I had to set aside all the things that made me feel more confident and secure. Too often I think that I need the things of the world to make me who I am. When what I really need is Jesus. Toby Mac sings one of the ring tones on my phone, “I don’t want to gain the whole world and lose my soul.” That reminds me that the things of the world are not as important as my Savior and my soul. I strive to prepare my soul for the day I will meet Jesus. 

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