GETTING LOST IN LOVE
MY RITUAL PRACTICE
I’m at the beach.
I tell you that for context.
My single favorite action at the beach . . . well, besides watching the kids catch every wave; falling asleep to the rythmic sounds of the gulf easing over the white sandy beach under the umbrella; making cocktails for friends; grilling fresh caught seafood; game night among many laughs; singing along, ridiculously, to beach soundtracks . . .
Okay — I love a lot about the beach. But the one contemplative practice that I do my best not to miss — both morning and afternoon — is taking a lone swim out to a far point in the sea. Once there, I take a deep breath, fill my lungs, and rise to the top of the water. I float, face to the sun — whereever it may be positioned in the sky — and I let the kaleidoscope of reds and whites and oranges pour in behind my eyelids.
Upon the water, eyes closed and facing the sun, I do my best to let my arms and legs extend, weightless over the saltwater. I lose myself in the moment — trying to let go of the time, everyone around me, the position of our chairs on the beach, and even the potential sea life that wants me for lunch (gah — it takes several minutes to stop imagining myself on the Today show talking about surviving a shark attack).
The moments floating are uneventful, just the occasional wave coming over face — reminding me of the strength of the sea — and my compared smallness. The water is cold and warm. Never just one. My head bobs and the water threatens to overtake me. But I fill my lungs again, a deep breath of sea air, and I continue to float. I’ll do nothing to correct my rotation or my direction — the waves can have their way with my location.
When my mind settles, and I’m mostly absorbed in the moment floating on top of the water — I return to a theme we as a community have talked about often over the years. The endless love of God. In fact, we’ve lately settled in to the language of:
THE OCEANIC LOVE OF GOD. It’s ends are boundless. It’s strength is unlimited. It’s engulfing nature is irresistible.
One author even writes,
We’re supposed to see God’s willingness to mend, to forgive, to absorb, and remove guilt as oceanic; a sea of love without limit . . .
THE ART OF LOVE
I have been following this artist for years. She’s amazing. The other day this post caught my eye. “The oceanic love of God” went through my head — this girl is both swimming in it and sharing it. It’s engulfing her and flowing from her. And look at the life that flourishes — the gulls are filling the skies with flight and life.
I did a little more digging, and found a rough sketch of Agnes Cecile here. Now this is a completely different tone, right? She seems to not be engulfed in the life of the ocean waves, but maybe overcome by her own puddle of tears. I don’t know what the artist had in mind for either painting, but they seem to be two completely different tones. The first one, certainly refreshing, hopeful, and full of life. The one here, moody, dark, and somehow sad.
There is no doubt that life looks like both of these paintings — and maybe many others too. The practice of floating on the waves, under the suns warm rays, is mostly a hopeful exercise. It’s one of release and letting go. It’s a practice of finding a place within the flowthat exists long before me and beyond me. It’s a practice of smallness in the vast sea. But it’s also a practice of existing — even while in the overwhelming waters.
Maybe you don’t actually have to be in the water to process such things. The language and familiarity with the OCEANIC LOVE OF GOD can come while you are in the pool, in the shower, or even ANYWHERE you can let your imagination take you to such a place.
The oceanic love of God.
The boundless nature of love.
The vastness of love.
It’s all here and present, whether we are aware or not. But this is my practice to notice it. To engage it. And to hopefully, I truly pray, let such love flow from me.
Let your heart overflow with praise to the Eternal,
for He is good,
for His faithful love lasts forever.
Praise the True God who reigns over all other gods,
for His faithful love lasts forever.
Praise the Lord who reigns over all other lords,
for His faithful love lasts forever.
To Him who alone does marvelous wonders,
for His faithful love lasts forever.
Who created the heavens with skill and artistry,
for His faithful love lasts forever.
Who laid out dry land over the waters,
for His faithful love lasts forever.
Who made the great heavenly lights,
for His faithful love lasts forever.
The sun to reign by day,
for His faithful love lasts forever.
The moon and stars to reign by night,
for His faithful love lasts forever . . .
- excerpt from Psalm 136 (The Voice)
