Hennie Symington

Truly, he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. Psalm 62:2

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

Our lives are filled with contradictions: We live in larger houses but have smaller families; we have more gadgets in the home, but less time; more education, but less common sense, more experts, but more problems, more medication but less health.

We talk too much and pray too little. We give too little love and tell too many lies. We know how to make a living, but we don’t know how to live. We’ve been to the moon, but it’s too far to cross the street to comfort a neighbour. We own more than most people across the planet, and yet we complain about having too little. Of course, I’m speaking tongue in cheek, while poking you in the rib. I don’t think these contradictions are common to the people living in these times only. It is not unusual for people to let life pass them by without giving it much thought.

How can I be at home with my soul?

By going on a journey, not in your latest 4X4 or whatever, but by going nowhere! Your departure time is your time of devotion. Arrival: Indefinite. Take it easy and start of slowly – very slowly ‒ on a journey of the soul. Leave behind the distractions of your life, and set your sights on the light at the end of a dark tunnel while repeating to yourself: “Nothing can separate me from the love of Christ.”

Repeat these words until they have been imprinted on the tablets of your heart. You don’t have to wonder if God is there in that moment because He assures us of his presence: “I am with you all the days of your lives …” Then come home to your soul leaving behind the need to impress others and yearning for status and recognition.

Prayer: O Lord, we busy ourselves with what has no value. We seek rest for the soul, but refuse to slow down to meet with ourselves, and in the process, we lose ourselves. Grant us peace in our hearts and joy in the ordinary things of life. Amen