Of all the commandments, which is the most important? The most important one, answered Jesus, ‘is this: Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.’

Mark 12: 28-31

Your soul is the core of who you are and who God created you to be. He desires that every thought, feeling, decision and perception flows through Him. He wants you to love Him with all your soul.

The longest period of time that I was away from home was on a mission trip to Scotland. I was super excited about this adventure and seeing how God would move in people’s lives as we shared the Gospel. After many days in a foreign country the excitement began to wear off, tiredness began to creep in and loneliness for home and family became overwhelming. I had an aching heart to be near those I love.

This aching desire can happen to your soul when you are far away from God. The desire of the flesh will soon wear off and a longing to be near to God will emerge. Scripture reminds us, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God” (Psalm 42:1-2). Jesus commands us to love Him with all our soul. Are you loving Him in that way today?

Dear Lord, Just as a deer longs for water, my soul longs for You. Help me to fight off temptation of the flesh and turn my soul to You.

Charity O