Good for the Soul

May 1, 2007 | Filed Under Architecture, Made of Sun 

It’s calling us back…again. We’ve got the itch. Maybe we can make it up to Bear Lake, at least, this summer sometime and fool our senses a bit there. There’s nothing like the ocean in the summer. When we took our visit to California a few years back, most of the time we visited the beaches. La Jolla, Mission, Silver Strand, etc. It’s the best. Brighton was the perfect age too. Old enough to remember, but young enough to still be amazed by the back and forth of the waves, and giggling at the squishiness of the sand between his toes. Every kid should have that experience. Again and again.

Not only is it fun, but everything testifies of Christ. The seasons, for instance, or the intricacy of the human body. The universe especially. Some people see a majestic snow-capped mountain or an area of pristine countryside, and contemplate the love and power of God. While I certainly understand those feelings, with me, it’s the sheer expansiveness of the ocean and the depth and rhythm of the sea. When I was pretty young, I remember going out on a boat with friends, and navigating out to a secluded spot, we’d jump out into the warm water, swimming, floating on our backs. Nothing but the sky above us, and the water below. I loved the colors and the way the light would bend and sparkle on the water. I can spend hours on the beach too. Sitting on the sand or simply walking the coastline, just thinking, praying, planning. It’s my favorite place to be outdoors.

Growing up in the midwest, I remember lots of fields, and the flat landscape going on for miles (there’s probably a strong correlation there with why I dig the ocean). I really valued the stillness too. We lived in a pretty rural area, and when it got dark, there was zero ambient light. I’d stretch out on our deck or on a blanket flat on my back, and just stare into a black sky full of stars. God really surrounds us with so many examples of His existence. There are so many opportunities to tap into that wonderous way of looking at life.

Now there are times when I thrive, and feel completely invigorated while in a vibrant, fluid urban scene too. This is why I love cities. But there is definately a time for pondering, meditation, and there are many places where this can be achieved. I love the simple passages in the New Testament that talk about how Christ went away often to the mountain to pray. And when He’s walking on the sea…I love the idea of Him just walking on the water and talking with the Father, don’t you?

By the way, when we were in Taipei, we went to this great bookstore in the Taipei 101 called PageOne. It’s awesome. I’ve long been fascinated by Aegean architecture, and I bought a book (its all in Chinese and the photos are great) including the vernacular (pictured above). Let’s just say that our next international rendezvous will be to that part of the world visiting Santorini and Mykonos and other islands there. Bouncing around dense white-washed buildings and narrow streets, watching the sunrise/set atop a terraced community, hundreds of feet above the water—now that is something we have to do.

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