Loving God and Loving Others: The Basics of Becoming Christlike by Wycliffe Bible TranslatorsSample

Day 3: Loving God With All of Your Soul

Growing up in church and as the daughter of missionaries, Susha thought she had a pretty good handle on what it meant to love God. Until the Lord allowed her to get cancer. But something happened to Susha in that season that she hadn’t expected: She learned to love God with all her soul.

Susha was forced to think about life, death and eternity. As a mom of four, she was desperate to get well. Although she continued to pray for healing, she chose to trust God with the outcome. That trust created a love within her soul that she had never before experienced. Susha learned that loving God with all her soul put her life into perspective with eternity, fostering a gratefulness that helped her to stand strong in the tough moments (Hebrews 10:23) and endure with joy (Hebrews 12:1-2).

Our soul is what integrates, connects and binds the various parts of our will, mind and body together into a single life. It’s a life that’s completely, entirely, absolutely and wholeheartedly designed to connect with God — who forgives, heals, redeems, crowns and satisfies. He is filled with tender compassion, mercy and love toward those who fear Him.

Psalm 103:1-2 (NASB) says, “Bless the LORD, my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, my soul, and do not forget any of His benefits.” The word “bless” throughout Psalm 103 means “to kneel” and is the same Hebrew word used in Psalm 95:6: “Come, let's worship and bow down. Let's kneel before the LORD our Maker” (NLT).

Our soul is called to bow in submission to the Creator. May our life — all that is within us — kneel in worship and praise as we seek to love and obey God with all our heart and all our soul.

As we grow in our relationship with God, He creates hearts that long to obey Him. Our obedience is no longer something we “have to do” but rather a reflection of what we want to do because of who we are — dearly loved children of God (1 John 3:1). Our soul becomes more and more at rest as we daily abide in Christ, remembering who we are in Him and walking in obedience as we align every part of our life with His.

Questions for Reflection:

• Does loving God with all your soul differ from loving Him with all your heart? If so, how?
• What areas of your life have you unknowingly compartmentalized in your relationship with God? What do you need to submit and yield to Him?
• What are some areas of disobedience you need to confess and repent of so your life can reflect love for God?