One of the recurring phrases heard or read in commentary on modern American life is “the battle for the soul of America.” It has been a campaign slogan for some candidates. It is a description used by some to articulate the conflicting agendas of warring participants – willing or disinterested yet affected – by the “culture war” being waged in our nation.
If one has been a proponent of recent decisions by the Supreme Court on matters of Second Amendment interpretation, eroding the wall of separation of church and state, and complete disregard for matters of precedent in the rights of women in their health care, then the battle for the soul of America is thought to be showing signs of righteous progress.
But, if like me, one has always supported the right of a woman to choose and who has great concern over the alliance of right wing evangelicalism and republican politics and politicians, the battle for the soul of America is not going well at all.
Decades of very hard-won social territory gains in civil rights, housing, racial justice, improved access to education, medical care, job opportunities and achievements in the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion are under assault. Indeed and again, the battle for the soul of America is not going well at all.
One of the great conundrums in these times when soul language is being used to describe the spiritual health and spiritual challenges of modern times is that spiritual centers and resources for the enrichment of the soul are in significant decline. Religious self-righteousness certainly abounds, but many soul enriching stations such as local churches are empty and closing.
The truth is that for all the talk of spiritual health or lack of it in America’s soul is mostly just that, talk. The soul of America has become a rather meaningless phrase. It’s a line in a political campaign or a cliché without definition. For all the talk about America’s soul, too many souls of American people are malnourished in this age of secularism and spiritual indifference.
For those who have ears to hear in these times of noisy distractions, our soul health is dependent upon nourishing it every day. The condition of the soul as a divinely implanted, unique personality capable of love, affection, fellowship, relationship, contribution, and a character developed from a moral center doesn’t just happen. The soul must be fed or the soul’s attributes are shadowed by the glamour of affluence, the confusions of celebrity idolizations, and the glitz of the newest, shiny thing.
Soul health is dependent on a daily feeding. We must look for what uplifts, inspires, enriches and exercises our soul in these spiritually cloudy days when there are 24/7 accounts of the compromise or annihilation of the better angels of our nature.
If we look, if we seek soul nourishment, we will find it. Spiritual food will be discovered and it will give us the nourishment needed to survive our challenging times and demanding days.
Some weeks ago I found myself in an exam room of one of my medical health care providers. While waiting for the doctor and consumed with all the “what ifs” that can arise and having heard another unsettling newscast before my appointment, I looked on the exam room wall where medical degrees assuring proper preparation and licensing of the doctor were displayed.
But in addition, there were these framed affirmations:
LOVE STRENGTHENS.
FAITH PROTECTS.
HOPE RENEWS.
My soul was fed. I received soul energy and was nourished for another day. Look for it! You will find it. All will be well with your soul.
These are demanding days. Our souls need nourished. Look for what will feed YOU. Take it in. We cannot go to bed hungry. We need soul strength for what the next day may bring.