Perfect Soul
I came across this quote which really interested me by the academic and teacher Allan Bloom:
“… students have powerful images of what a perfect body is and pursue it incessantly. But … they no longer have any image of a perfect soul, and hence do not long to have one.”
This idea that without any picture of a perfect soul, and why a perfect soul is something worth pursuing, we are left with a focus on image. The outside. The way we look, and this focus on perfecting our physical bodies as Bloom says here. And I guess we could take it further and relate it to a focus on anything image-based or temporal in our lives.
But what about for those of us who do have an image of a perfect soul?
Our Father in heaven is perfect Scripture says (Matt.5:48), and Jesus is the “the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature” (Heb 1:1-3). So for those of us who know and love Him, we do have this image.
So having this image of Jesus before us, God-incarnate, full of grace and truth, lowly and meek, compassionate and loving; I started thinking about how much I pursue Him “incessantly,” and Christ-likeness in my ‘inner person’?
No doubt it’s God Himself that works within us to bring about Christ-likeness, but I guess what I’m getting at here is how much this longing for Him and His reflection in my life is a priority. Especially when I compare it to the priority I give to temporal things. Sometimes I think about the time I give to going to the gym, and how my time with God pales beside it – eek! Not that the gym and exercising is bad in itself or anything, I’m just thinking about priorities.
And so this quote challenged me. In the pages of my Bible, I do have an image of the perfect soul in Jesus, and I feel His Spirit at work within me. I want to long to invest in Him and reflect Him more. I want to pursue Him incessantly.
*Quote reference: Closing of the American Mind (Simon & Schuster; 1988) 67
Hi Birgit! The pursuit of a perfect soul takes two disciplines. The first is the discipline of our senses so that we can say “Enough!” when we are tempted to desire more – more physical beauty, more food, more gold, more money, more holidays, more weight loss, more youthfulness, more attention, etc. The second discipline is the nurturing of the soul so that it actually “hungers and thirsts” after more of God. Both disciplines require constant, dilligent practice but must never be allowed to become “law”. Love is always the answer and love of God needs to triumph over love of self. “We live by faith and not by sight.”
I was reminded of Rom 7 when I read Carol’s response. What a friend we have in Jesus to sacrifice so much for our sinful nature, X
It’s seems that the more I pursue Him, the more the enemy stakes his tent pegs in my personal space. The more I pray to be more Christ-like the more that snake harasses me, but I will continue to “fight the good fight” because I know that I’ll win in the end. :)
Carol, thank you so much for this reply, it’s such sound, Godly and practical insight into developing Christlikeness, this ‘perfect soul.’ I found the last part of what you said really challenging and inspiring – the “love of God needs to triumph over love of self.” I hope you’re well, lots of love to you xo
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Des, it was so lovely being able to chat more with you about this chapter over coffee this week. Like you, I’m so, so thankful for what Jesus has done for us. Much love ox
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Such a good point Hope, and I can relate to this. It often seems that the more deliberate and active and determined we are in pursuing God and the things of His Kingdom, the more it attracts the attention of the enemy in different ways. But you are right, and I love your focus :) – greater is He that is in us! (1 Jn.4:4)