I rarely hear the term “Soul” used these days. I work for an evangelistic ministry, and we tend to talk about reaching people, or changing lives, rather than saving souls. Perhaps it’s a result of camp meeting overuse, but I suspect it has more to do with the immediacy of the world we live in.

Soul is a slow word.

Our soul remains the deepest part of us, the spiritual or immaterial part, the immortal. Our souls search for God, even when we don’t know it, and our souls face an enemy—sinful desires wage war against our soul (1 Peter 2:11).

Peter reminds us of our souls and their one true guide through life. For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

This shepherd provides green pastures, still waters, and righteous paths. He’s a companion through death’s valley. He sets an ample table, and hands us cups filled and overflowing. This overseer restores our souls, fills us with goodness and mercy, and prepares for us an eternal place in the house of the Lord.

Of course I speak of Jesus, the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls.

Though we might not talk about it much, our soul is ever-present, scarred and battling through life. Fortunately, our Shepherd and Overseer steps beside us along the way.

1 Peter 2 in week forty-one of reading the Bible cover to cover

Still waters of the Tambre River in Northern Spain