When John Quincy Adams was eighty years old, he often took walks, slowly of course. One day his walk was interrupted by a neighbor who inquired, "How is my good friend John Quincy Adams?" The aged Adams looked his friend in the eye and said slowly, "John Quincy Adams himself is very well indeed, thank you. But the house in which John Quincy Adams is living is sadly dilapidated. The walls are beginning to tremble and every time the wind blows, this house trembles on its foundation. The roof is badly worn too! I think John Quincy Adams will be moving out in a while, but John Quincy Adams himself is quite well, thank you."
The most important part of our being is our souls. We need to take care of the soul. Too much emphasis is put on the physical body and it seems little emphasis is placed on the soul. The wonderful part of our soul is it can grow, strengthen and flourish with the passing of time. Time takes its toll on the body, diminishing it, weakening it and will return it to dust. The soul is eternal and untouched by the passing of time. Why do so many do little for the soul and so much done for the part that is dying? It is because we do not see ourselves through the eyes of God. We lavish our bodies with some of the finest foods, clothing that is top of the line, recreation and pleasures in abundance. The soul is left starving, naked and exercised little. The body is painted, worked over and pampered while the soul is neglected. Just take a few moments and reflect at what you go after in your life and what takes up the time of your children. It takes honesty but it can be eye opening.
Paul saw our earthly tent is going to be torn down but he knew that we have a house from God that is eternal (II Cor. 5:1). He groaned in this earthly house, longing to be clothed with the dwelling from God (II Cor. 5:2). One thing was certain, he did not want to be found naked in the presence of God (II Cor. 5:3-4)! Day by day he was renewing that inner man, the soul (II Cor. 4:16). The conclusion of this reality? "Therefore, we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him." (II Cor. 5:7-9)
What about us? What is your ambition? Whatever you put emphasis on is what your ambition is. As time passes for us in Christ, our souls should become stronger, healthier and more vibrant. Each day passes, our bodies are fading. We are leaving this world with one thing and one thing only: our soul! We should be striving to feed our souls, to make wise choices in the things we do that will strengthen and keep the soul from deteriorating and in the end, we will have a house from God and not found naked and ashamed.
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