| | Conversations of the soul In my line of work, I get to know so much about people. They can be high school, college, graduate, or Ph.D. students. They can be just starting their career, or are presidents of their company. They can be single, gay, married, remarried, or single parents. They can be raised by their parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, or adopted. They can be American, or internationals. All walks of life come through my office. Yet, I’ve never seen them spared from the hardships, or storms, of life. Their current state of sadness, fear, or pain seems to dwarf any successes they have in life. They are depressed, stressed, and anxious about all sorts of things and find themselves lost in them. Interestingly, they are in their 40s, 50s, and 60s, and carried these feelings for so many years. They go to therapy, counseling, or even churches, which helps somewhat, yet they don’t find that breakthrough they are looking for. In my brief encounter with them, I find that what they are looking for are deep conversations, what I call conversations of the soul. What we talk touches on issues that involve what lies beneath everything that you present to the public. They involve one’s private world – a world that is so deep. Sometimes we guard it so much that we may not be even familiar with what is in it ourselves. However, when they find someone who can guide them to this place of the soul, and have safe conversations about what one finds there, they discover hope and newer awareness. As a matter of fact, they hunger for more of this type of conversation or relationship. I ask them if they have friends that they can go on to continue having conversations like what we just had, but their answer is typically “no”. They always seem to say, that they have “fun” friends, not “deeper” friends where they feel free and safe to be who they really are in their private world. In that place, one finds the darkest place, and also the brightest of hope. In that place, one finds Jesus. Jesus was the Master of conversations of the soul. Often, a profound question, unlocked hidden motives or profound treasure. His sermons or parables were so profound it shook or awakened the soul. If you live superficially, the meanings are a mystery. When you dare to take the journey “inward” to your soul, you will find a precious gift. Christians must familiarize themselves with conversations of the soul beginning with themselves. It is most likely what your friends, and you, have been looking for. Reflective question: |
