4 Ways to Heal from a Sunburn — (How to Rest in a Country that actually knows how to)

1 - Cool the Burn Gently

As we finish these 8 days —full of prayer,

full of reflection,

full of experiences,

full of culture,

full of vulnerability,

full of fellowship,

and full of love—

It's easy to feel like we've been dissected, flipped upside down, exposed, and, most importantly, cooked. We don't typically get asked to share our life stories or even the meanings and significance of the names we're called every day.

So let's be generous with the amount of grace we give ourselves today as we rest; we've done a great thing. We've ventured out of our spaces, we've shared meals and stories, and we've let the thorns of those around us permanently leave a memory on our hearts—a tattoo from the God on high.

Oh, and don't forget aloe. Aloe helps too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 - Learn the Lesson, Gratefully

As people, and especially as counselors, it's essential to know that Hurt is going to happen. It's not about imagining an angry, condemning, Zeus-like God, but instead a truly caring father who speaks to us, and through us, about our happenings.

Personally, I've never reflected on my life in the same way that we had as a class, and the methods — in tandem with the fantastic efforts of the Greek community — of experiencing what it must have been like for a Corinthian dye trader, a fisherman from Meteora, or an Athenian philosopher, to respond to the same message of Jesus that we do. It reminded me of the themes in the narrative that God was using in my story to impact those around me as I wrestled with God in the past, and dance with my thorns today.

It's a lifestyle and a posture, and it's very, very difficult. It takes a constant reminder: You matter, you are loved, and you are worth dying for.

So please don't beat yourself up for getting burnt; it'll likely happen again anyway.

 

 

3 -- Rest, When you Can.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

As we bring our "American Efficiency" mindsets to a culture that does not, and will not, accommodate these values, we find ourselves in a difficult spot.

Sometimes, the people of Greece can seem aloof, lazy, or exaggerating. It's almost like time is moving slower for them — don't they have something they should be doing? Why aren't they on time for our appointments? Where's my food?

Sit with this irritant. Let the itching sensation that prompts us to alter our ancient surroundings to adapt to our modern culture come and go. Feel it. Overcome it...

 

 

…or sleep on it.

 

 

 

4 - Let the Light Change You.

One of the parts of culture that Greeks show the most fondness for is age. From the Neolithic, to the Abrahamic, to the ancient paths and sites of Paul's first ministries, the history of these places holds immense importance to the Greeks — and it's easy to see how the influence seeps into every aspect of their culture. From the wardrobes to language, to desserts, and wine, Greeks are very reverent to their past, which makes me think—are we?

Are we reverent to the skin we've aged with?

The bodies we've burnt our whole lives?

The stories we've picked at?

The psychology that we've let our experiences permanently change?

I invite all of you to join me in these questions I wrestle with as I walk in faith, appreciating my own burns, cuts, scars, past, and wounds. May we all accept our pasts in these moments of rest and learn to accept, appreciate, and be grateful as we heal from things we cannot change. From there, we can learn a valuable lesson on loving one another well.

 

 

 

Αμήν,

Jackson.