Soul Train

“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” (Matt. 16:26 ESV)

I’ve been thinking of the word ‘profit’ lately. If I invest my time, money, or energy into some project, what is the profit margin? Are the returns worth it after I deduct the hassle factor? What is the risk/rewards ratio?

The soul has no currency. It’s hard to measure its growth in terms of profit and gain. If we have been disconnected from our souls for a while, we lose the ability to monitor its well-being.

There are certain forms of investing that are soul-nourishing and others that are not. Frequently I invest in ways that don’t make much monetary sense. However, it feels right to me. Other times, I have gotten caught up in societal pressures and blindly followed others. I end up feeling like a locomotive, going full steam, but unhooked from its soul.

In our pursuit for profit/gain, frequently we lose our authentic selves. To the rest of the world, we may look like we have accomplished a lot. Yet, we are like a box that has made it across several transatlantic flights, but lost its contents. We feel dis-content, empty.

The best way to live authentically is to always consider your soul first. This might seem inefficient to the rest of the world, and you might be perceived as unambitious or just plain stupid. Even if it leads to loss in wealth, prestige, or power, make choices that nourish and strengthen your soul. Hook the soul train to your engine first, instead of relegating it to the end of the line.