How profitable is your soul?

"For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" -Matthew 16:26

I read this verse last night, one I'm sure you're familiar with, and I was as well, but that's the great thing about God's word, sometimes things are illuminated at different times in our lives. I find this particular question interesting because it is mentioned in 3 out of the 4 gospels. Therefore, it must be pretty important.

It seems like our worlds get busier and busier and we are more infatuated with how to make things accessible, quicker, better, more. We are always in a consumer mindset. But when it comes down to it, what good is having everything if we lose our soul in the process? Your soul is the most precious thing, what is taking priority over it?

Is it that workout plan, having the perfect outfit, being the best-loved out of the friend group? Are these things more of a priority than your quiet time with God? Are you worried about your social health more so than the health of the thing most precious, your soul? How long have you neglected to take care of the thing that should matter most to you?

As I read this, I was reminded of Revelation 2:4, "But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first." We have forsaken our first love. Maybe we aren't pursuing Jesus as fervently as we did when we first accepted His saving grace. Maybe the things of the world are getting in the way of that pursuit. Maybe we are chasing the world and buying into all the things it has, instead of taking care of our own souls.

Today, I am reminded that first and foremost, I love Jesus. First, I need to seek Him, and His righteousness, then all things shall be added. (Matthew 6:33) You can't be righteous without taking care of your soul.

It is not too late to return to your first love. Your soul is valuable, or Satan wouldn't be after it. If you're looking to the world to fill the void, you're always going to be disappointed because you're losing yourself in the process.