Catalina Island - Campus by the Sea
For the past few years, I have had the honor to accompany Sylvia Cortez on Covenant Group Leader Retreats. My favorite retreat is on Catalina Island. When I am near the ocean, I feel that my senses are engaged specifically hearing. I love the sound of the ocean. Here on the Catalina shore there are pebbles lining the beaches. I hear the waves crash on the store only to be followed by the water trickling down the small pebbles. Its like the waves are being called home.
I have always lived close to the ocean and have attended PLNU for the past couple of years. I know when I am home because of the air. I see a deep connection between the air and the sea. When I am away, I appreciate the waves more. I long to always be near the sea. Now more than ever, the ocean does something for me. It located the deepest dreams in my soul and pulls at them with invisible cords, hoisting the sails of my spirit to catch whatever breath blows in from the horizon. And where the breath comes from, I never can tell. But it comes. I feel it washing over my skin, weaving in and out of my hair, rushing into my lungs and out again...then I know I am home.
There is something about the sea that beckons, whispers, invites my soul and heart to dream again. To fly and be free on the winds of imagination unfettered by the constraints that bind humanity ruled only by the laws of heaven - the laws of freedom.
Sometimes my physical body is removed, but my heart always seems to find its way back to the seaside once again. Along the way my heart wanders off into thicker forest of doubt and rock crags of fear. I hear a voice, not quite so soothing as the sea's whisper, and this voice spoke of how uncertain the ocean was. It mentioned the changing tides, and how someone can't be certain of how high the water will rise. The voice suggested that I consider the unpredictable weather patterns, which could be uncomfortably cold and excruciatingly hot. And goodness gracious, did it ever cross my mind that hurricanes abound in a few...NO. Probably in all tropical locations? Was my swim instructor properly certified? Because when I was young there was a girl who...well, you hear the story didn't you?
On and on the voice went, sounding awfully close to my own, yet it never carried the peace that came with the sea's gentle breath. No peace, but the logic made sense. Would it be wise to find a safe place in the rocks should a hurricane approach? Or perhaps an alternative food source in the woods should the ocean run out of fish to eat?
Looking back, I never wandered too far, but I was far enough that the rocky crags distorted the sound of the wind just enough to confuse my ears. When in the forest, the tall pine trees caught up all but the faintest traces of the oceans breath with their netting of needles, leaving my lungs feeling clouded and thick with dry dust. The thing about sea breeze is that it always guides you back, pulling you to itself, drawing you back to the source. The closer you get the stronger the wind becomes, restoring the body, mind, and spirit.
So, here I am back at the shoreline. I will sink roots deep down and build a home with a porch. For the rest of my days, I can sit and watch the currents ripple across the water expanse. I will live by the sea where the law is freedom and where my hear has permission to dream. All of my adventures and heroic endeavors will begin here and they will return here. They will be fueled by the love grown here and the strength developed here. They will be directed by the wisdom gained here and the vision birthed here. This will happen because the wind is always speaking - whispering the secrets of the see to those who will listen.
The concerns of the other voice, who so obligingly brought to my attention and motives I doubt, now seem of no consequences. I can now see that the tides will rise and fall with predictable uncertainty. The extremities of heat and cold, wind and rain, are furiously uncontrollable, intensely passionate, and never mediocre. Of course, there is still the possibility of hurricane. But there is no other place I would rather drown than in a torrent of such unbridled power and stunning beauty. Could there be any better way to die than to be consumed by these waters whose length is unmeasurable and whose depth is unknown. Could there be anything more dangerous, more terrifying, more captivating, more gentle and soothing all at once than the infinite expanse that stretches before me? I would rather die in the midst of the sea than anywhere else. It is not safe and it will never be. And yes, it is in the wild freedom of desires and dreams that I am actually the safest I could ever be. The wind knows the way of the sea. If I listen carefully, I am sure I will hear the gentle whisper of the sea.
It is here that my heart comes alive. It is hear that I feel Your breath on me. I will live within listening distance from the waves and never move away.
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