The art of spiritual formation has recently reemerged after years of neglect. Theologian and author Dallas Willard notes that the concept “was understood by Jesus, taught by Paul, obeyed by the early church, followed with excess in the medieval church, narrowed by the reformers, recaptured by the Puritans, and virtually lost in the modern church.” But we can regain the ground we’ve lost. We can explore the ancient faith practices of our spiritual ancestors and follow them into a deeper relationship with God.

There are at least five benefits of taking time off and being away. I'm talking about the wonderful deposits we place into our souls when we take a vacation. I’m returning from four weeks off of work. Four weeks might seem like an extravagance that you cannot afford. I understand that. But for me—for us—we simply had to take this time off and had to be away. Here’s why…

Soul Care requires a long, careful, and wise look at our capacity.  The myth says, “Capacity doesn’t matter.  Just keep going full steam and in fifth gear!”  The lie says, “You don’t matter.”

When we are not aware of our capacity, then we neglect our whole life.  We forfeit our soul. We breathlessly run our lives on empty. We become doers, which is fine and good—but not at the expense of our souls.  

There are two words that seem to define so many people today:  Urgency and Emergency. Let me explain.

Urgency is an internal discombobulating feeling we experience when we face competing demands and rivaling priorities. Everything and everyone seem to be important—and it’s urgent that we be available—urgent that we take their call and respond to their text right away.

Soul Care is caring for the whole person. Every part of our lives matters. Everything about us needs care. Everything that is alive needs and requires care. Plants, animals, our bodies and our souls need care to thrive. You are not the exception. We cannot live our lives on auto-pilot—running our lives on empty feeling tired, depleted and upset and call this experience—the abundant life.

In a single verse, we are privy to what Mary actually did—after she was told that she was going to have a baby and that her baby would have a sacred role in God’s plan for humanity.

We see in Mary’s response an action that is beautiful, humble and meaningful. She doesn’t rush around telling her closest friends what has happened. She doesn’t make a plan. She doesn’t fret, worry or let her nerves get the best of her.

Mary’s heart reveals two needed postures in today’s frenzied world with 24/7 news in the ever-ready, always on world we live in today. Mary “treasures” the information she has been given. Then, Mary “ponders” it.