Rest, for it is Good.

 And on the 7th day, he rested. God knew that his creation was good, so he rested. 

{2 On the sixth[a] day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done. 3 So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation. Gensesis 2:2-3 NRSVUE} 

    Today marks the seventh day of travel for us SEU folk. After finishing our work of travel, exploring, and class over the span of six days, today we rested knowing that our work was good. Last night began the longer laughs, the closer relationships, and the bonds that we had begun to build six days ago within the Orlando airport at 8 am. The jet lag is still among us this morning as we awoke – I for one – completely missed breakfast. The wake-up call from our sweet director was more like a distant call of the wild beckoning me to awake from my slumber. My spirit was willing, but my flesh was weak as my mind said “No – thank you.” and continued its rest. Shout out to my roommate who softly whispered my name for 10 minutes attempting to gently lift me out from hibernation. I am not a morning person. 

    On the seventh day of this venture, we went to the Healing Springs (Lake Vouliagmeni). Here we rested with our small community we have built. It is not a perfect community, but it is good. I feel pride in our small village we have established that is only six days old. We have many laughs and a multitude of joyous moments throughout the days. We also have tears and moments of sadness. We share moments of worship both in the pain and in the joy. 

    Today while in the waters, I enjoyed deep belly laughs (the kind that will make ya snort) while just being with my people. This is rest. To rest in love with self, others and ultimately in God. The tall cliffs lining the cove gave a sense of privacy and protection. Intimacy often thrives in protective and private spaces. We share our world with not just anyone, but only those that feel safe. Our ideas of what is safe may vary and or be distorted based on our own personal experiences. 

    How do we love self, others, and God well? This question sweeps the philosophical and theological worlds across the ages. How intimacy is achieved and maintained is a fundamental wonder that brings about many of New York’s best sellers. 

    Love. Loving well is the answer. The simplicity brings an invalidating feature that we underate and overlook the necessity of its nature. To know and be known is a deep desire of our humankind in which we crave to be loved and to love. God is love. To be created in his image means we are designed to follow, find, and be capable of loving well. We will not love perfectly – but we work to establish a good love for a time and find rest within its power on the sabbath. Today to me felt like a rest in the love and community we have worked so hard to learn and love well. Not perfectly, but well. Our work as counselors is to establish a therapeutic relationship that is….loving. By listening to stories and just “being with.” This journey is not to be done alone, but in community.

 {Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Mark 4:4}

    We are not to live by basic needs such as food and water but are to be in relation to the things God says. We are called to be in relationship with him, ourselves and others. 

{ 36 “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” 37 He said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the greatest and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22: 36-40}

    To love God, ourselves and others is the greatest of our callings. How do we love oneself well without truly knowing oneself? There are many instances where the greatest of biblical stories all stem from a venture into the wild to be with self and God. To be still and know that he is God and listen to his words and know our own thoughts. To sit with the imperfections and accept oneself as good and not perfect. To work to grow on ourselves and sabbath in the work we have done. Not to become perfect, but to be and become. To be, now in this moment, as we become more capable of loving well. 

    Our place of rest today was Lake Vouliagmeni. I asked the Greek Bible College staff about the local understanding of this lake and was told it is an ancient cave that was collapsed by an earthquake. It formed a healing spring that is believed to be sacred ground. Sacred ground is not foreign on Christianity as we are well aware of the commands to take of shoes, for one may be walking on holy ground. Today, we were on sacred ground of love and rest at an ancient cave that once hid many of shadows – now released and freed to the light of day covered with refreshing water and life. 

    What if – within our healing journey – we allow the earthquakes of life to shatter our cave? We can create a life in which we shatter our inner world that we store all of our secrets, shame, and shadows. We bring to light all of the pieces of us that are the deepest and darkest. The ones we distortingly believe should be hidden away. Create a space that our lives are not something that we wish to escape from, but are the escape for the chaos of the outer world around us. The place that others hope to come and find healing. 

    Presence is powerful. In psalms, it speaks that in his presence there is FULLNESS of joy. I am working to create a life in which my caves are shattered, my shadows are freed, I dance with my thorns, I dine with my shadows and enemies, and I swim with peace among any chaos of life. I rest in my work and break in my tasks. 

    What part of ourself are we willing to deconstruct in order to allow the presence of the healing waters flow? What fortitudes do we hold firm  block our journey to being healing waters ourselves? 

    We are not on a journey to being perfect – but good. In Lake Vouliagmeni, there are still deep underwater cave systems that have yet to be explored. The caves underneath are unsafe and only the best of divers can even attempt certain areas. I believe it is ok to accept that not all of our caves and systems will be deconstructed. There may still be distortions within our springs we find just too disruptive to continue exploring at times. We may need more coping skills, not have the resources, or simply need to rest for a bit. In no way does this devalue the healing power of the lake, it just has a depth to which we are yet unaware. 

    I find this analogy to be deeply personal as my name, Chelsea, means harbor. I hope to be a source of healing waters for myself and those around me. After much work, I pray my presence brings peace, healing, and rest within God, within myself, and trickling out to others. 

    The lake was gorgeous. The time spent with our small, young village was renewing. My soul feels refreshed on a wonderful sabbath day. Present in this lake are fish called Doctor Fish that will cleanse your skin of “particles.”  I was courageous and allowed the tiny fishes to nibble on my feet (that took some serious getting used too – let me tell ya.) Once the shock and sensory overload began to fade, I appreciated each of the little fishes for spending a moment in time with me. They were pretty cute. Nature and presence are both powerful. 

    Many have forgotten the healing power of being connected with nature. We go to churches and buildings rather than escaping to the creation of the God that created it. We have lost a part of ourselves in making our church brick and Morter. We forget the power in finding our presence in the isolation of the desert – on the venture to the top of the mountain – where we die to ourselves in order to go on a deep adventure to strip away the distractions and be alone with God. Here, we have the opportunity to get to know oneself and explore the depths of the mind. What is in our shadow? What is it in the corners of the unfallen cave that we keep tucked away? What could be the beautiful sight left in the ruins of the fallen cave? What hides in the self, beneath the healing waters, that encourages healing of self and of others? Getting to know creation and ourselves is a piece of getting to know God. To neglect the self is to neglect part of God for we are made in his image. 

    Once we begin to heal; we ultimately bring healing to others for love does not stop with one. It is not held in captive but has freedom of truth sweeping through the community - even just one righteous can alter an entire village or city. 

    So today, with my small village all laughing and enjoying food and drink, I ponder on my own cave. Who am I? Much of this trip I have begun to appreciate nature, ancient history, and my own story. Much of the things I keep hidden in a cave I can appreciate and bring out to light – mostly. It’s a journey and work in progress.  Journey that is good, not perfect. 

    Music was a big part of my personal story – but I keep it in a cave. Why? I often feel it is imperfect or that others may hear my flaws. But on this trip? I embrace my musical side. I sing in the car with my van-mates. We worship in music and presence. I free the shadow for it is not perfect, but good. 

    I am looking forward greatly to the rest of this trip and what other ways I learn to appreciate God, myself, and others. 

    Please enjoy this playlist below. We used it to sit in presence and peace with one another on our van ride back to the Greek Bible College. The playlist was inspired much by my meditations for this blog while I was trying to gather my thoughts in presence and community. I have some photos attached as well. Be well and encouraged in your capabilities and in love. 


-              Chelsea Elizabeth 

 

Deep Dive – SEU Worship https://music.apple.com/us/album/deep-dive/1636612484?i=1636612750

Peace – Holy Water https://music.apple.com/us/album/peace/1551060277?i=1551060290

I Speak Jesus – Charity Gail https://music.apple.com/us/album/i-speak-jesus-feat-steven-musso/1716928382?i=1716928769

Preference - https://music.apple.com/us/album/preference-live/1747805347?i=1747805356

Hard Fought Hallelujah – Brandon Lake https://music.apple.com/us/album/hard-fought-hallelujah/1781744786?i=1781744805

Make Beautiful Things – Gungor https://music.apple.com/us/album/beautiful-things/353582848?i=353582854










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