Concern for Our Souls

13These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.
Heb 11:13-14

During the Great awakening, one description given to many of the people during this time was that they were deeply concerned for their souls. This is significant because this is not what we could say of many in the church today.

Would people describe us in this way? That our one true desire is to be in right relationship with the Lord? Is everything that you do designed to bring glory to God? If you are not accomplishing this goal, does it cause such a deep dissatisfaction, which, until it is resolved, makes you willing to sacrifice your most precious worldly treasures?

When we read of men like Martin Luther, John Bunyon, Charles Spurgeon, Jonathan Edwards, and Charles Wesley. It was this kind of concern for the things of God that caused them to accomplish the great works they did, regardless of the adversities they faced. Christians were who they were. It wasn't merely one aspect of their lives, but every fabric of their being was encompassed by their relationship with Christ. It drove them to study, write, understand and most importantly live the Christian life.

How do we line up with this? Is our Christianity one aspect of who we are or is it our entire life’s focus? One way to examine ourselves in this matter is to look at how often we think about this world not being our home. How often do we speak about our true home? For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.

Today may you examine yourself to see what you truly seeking. Everyone is seeking something and there are only two possible destinations. Is it something in this world or is it the Homeland, for few are those who find the road. For many who bear the name Christian resemble little of those whose most important goal is to be with the Father in Heaven.

May we use this time, to see the importance of the eternal, because we do not want to find out one day that we were the seed that fell among the thorns only to be choked out by the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of wealth.

When people look at who I am,
Let them see my one desire.
To bring glory to the lamb,
And purge my soul from the mire.

On my own I'd surely fail
Therefore strengthen by your grace
make my life to then entail
the desire to see your face.

-Doug Eaton-