A High Price

In the heart of the prayer we know as the Lord's Prayer are petitions.  The first one is for the body ("Give us this day, our daily bread")  (Matthew 6:11) and the second one is for the soul ("Forgive us...as we forgive") (Matthew 6:12).  The third one is for the journey ("And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us...") (Matthew 6:13).   The need for the daily bread petition is obvious enough.  Our physical life is dependent on the life giving day and the food which is an integral part of it. 

 

Sadly enough, the way we live often seems to say that we do not see care for the soul with the same sense of urgency.  The life and well-being of our soul is dependent on a vital spiritual connection between ourselves and our Creator.  Jesus made it clear enough that if a choice is to be made between body and soul, the soul becomes more important.  "Do not fear those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body..." (Matthew 10:28)  While both body and soul are important parts of the way we are created, the body is made for earth, but the soul for eternity.

If physical health is important, how much more important is spiritual health.  Spiritual health thrives on our connection to God and when an unforgiving spirit takes root in our heart, it is our spiritual health which suffers.  And, in the long run, our soul's life is adversely affected.  Without divine forgiveness we are spiritually undone.  Without it the sin in us takes control and there is nothing we can do about it.  To choose living with our soul in jeopardy is indeed the mark of a foolish person.  It is a high price to pay for a broken relationship.