For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.

   - 1 Thessalonians 3.5

If you are a spiritual director, do not barter his soul; be not as the blind leading the blind; do not leave him in neglect.

   - The Rule of Carthage, Irish, 7th century

You hear this a lot from Paul, this agonizing over the spiritual wellbeing of the churches under his care. You sense that he truly ached for these people to be growing in the Lord, overcoming the lusts of the flesh, and laboring to advance the rule of Christ in their lives and circles of influence.

Paul’s many letters and visits were the best way he could continue to look out for the spiritual interests of the people under his care. I don’t sense much of this kind of zeal and concern between Christians today, although we have more efficient means.

A soul friend is someone who cares about your soul as much as his own. He prays for you, seeks you out and wants to know how you’re doing; he takes a sincere interest in your growth in the Lord, and helps you think about ways of making progress in the faith.

Most importantly, a soul friend keeps growing in the Lord himself, because he knows he’s of no spiritual good to anyone else if he’s not advancing in his daily walk.

Who cares about your soul? Whose soul has been entrusted to your prayerful oversight and concern? In a day when most pastors describe their churches as “shallow”, we need some seriously spiritual people to befriend the souls of others, so that the life of the Spirit can return to the churches with power.

If you don’t have a soul friend, or aren’t a soul friend to someone else, why not?

Psalm 62.1, 2 (Germany: “Jesus, They Blood and Righteousness”)
My soul in silence waits, O Lord – safely I stand within Your Word!
You are my Rock, my Stronghold true, and my Salvation, Lord, are You!

Lord, St. Brigid said that a person without a soul friend is like a person without a head; grant me such a friend, and to be such a friend to others. Adapted from Cogitosus, Life of Brigid