I can remember my family always joking about this phrase whenever something awkward came up. Someone would yell "Find a happy place!" while another might shout "Run away! Run away!" as all good Monty Python fans should recognize. But really, sometimes we do need a place or space to be our "happy place;" somewhere to recenter and find tranquility in the midst of a pressing world.
This weekend I was able to go kayaaking in Koror with a woman about my age who is from Russia. Her name is Rayla, and she is working at the elementary school in Koror at the edge of the Emmaus campus. We took out a double kayaak, and in just a few minutes--without tipping over the kayaak, I might add!--we were paddling through dazzling turquoise water, slowly circling enormous rock islands. Although we could still hear the faint noise of the speed boats, it was incredible to find so much calm after the bustle and traffic of Koror. I know if I were to live in Koror I would need to have a kayaaking membership to get away!
At one point we paddled through a narrow opening between two rock islands to discover it wasn't a passage, but an alcove. All of a sudden it was like everything stopped: the noise was shut out, the air was calm, and we were drifting slowly, surrounded on all sides by towering rock islands like peace-keeping sentinels. The first impression that came to mind was "Be still and know that I am God." I know that whenever I need a moment to "find a happy place," my mind will retreat to the instant calm of that alcove. In this way, our souls need to find a place of rest in our Creator; in trusting Him to shoulder our heavy burdens.
So often I try to find peace in the wrong ways. I hide away and avoid, which creates feelings of guilt and greater frustration with myself, and does not bring peace. I think God is trying to teach me that I can rest in Him; I don't need to focus on my failures and frustrations, but let Him carry my burdens. He sees me not as good and holy because of anything I have done, but views me with spotless lenses and sees His Son: more specifically, what His Son has done for me--for all of us. I don't stand alone anymore, but have someone who two thousand years ago said He would stand for me. I have so much to learn about what this grace really means; but for now, I am learning to rest in Him.
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This is great Erin! Really great! That place sounds beautiful and magical and I have to admit I am a bit jealous. But I think that what you talked about, about finding God and allowing him to be your peace in the midst of everything, well that is magical as well. And really I think I am trying to learn this as well. I can totally identify with you about the running away and trying to find other ways of dealing with things, but when it comes down to it, God is the only one that ever really gives me peace that calms my heart and washes my worries away. You got to love that he does that, and desires so much to for us!
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