Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Soul (07/13/06)
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TITLE: Spirit or Soul | Previous Challenge Entry
By Constance Gilbert
07/20/06 -
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I believe that there is only one word- it is God.
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia states that “Man is not spirit, but has it: he is soul… In the soul, which sprang from the spirit, and exists continually through it, lies the individuality- in the case of man, his personality, his self, his ego.”
I became confused with the various Greek, Hebrew, and Latin words. So I went back to my premise that God is love, God is our hope, God is the joy that bubbles to overflowing, and God created us in His image breathing life- His Spirit- into us.
“Lord, I want to understand.” I sat, in silence, waiting…
A picture formed in my mind. I was wearing my white uniform; sitting with a patient during her last earthly hours. She had told me, “It’s time.” Then slipped into unconsciousness. I sat holding her hand, wrinkled with age, and waited with her.
I can tell you, without a doubt, that God exists based on these bedside vigils alone. Yet, how do I, as a writer, find the words to describe when her spirit left her body. It’s nothing like portrayed on television; there’s no bright light as the angel comes to take her to heaven. It was but a second… no, much less, but I knew. It was as if our spirits were joined through the holding of hands. I sensed in my spirit when her spirit was reclaimed. She breathed another time or two and her hand went limp in mine. I felt so blessed! I had been in the presence of the Almighty Creator. He gave her life, and He came again- to give her life everlasting.
This soul of 82 years, whose hand I held, with all her unique qualities, her mind, her emotions, her temperament, her personality, her ego, her experiences, her joys, her heartaches remained in body only. Like a candle without a wick- that tiny thread that flames and provides light is gone.
I have always known whether my patients have had a relationship with the Savior. Just before that last breath, there is a peace unlike any other upon their face- a radiance that defies description. But those without salvation struggle and, often, fear is in their eyes.
I now feel at peace. My soul may get sidetracked with my mind not understanding the Greek and Hebrew; my emotions may rage out of control; my experiences may send me in the wrong direction; my desires may be wrong, but my spirit- given to me by the Creator- is burning like a tiny candle in dark room. It sustains me; it brings me joy; it provides caring and understanding; it gives me hope. It is love.
The Eskimos may need 52 words for snow. I only need one for love- God. He is my everything!
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