“I’m going to keep a blog to bring you along for my European journey,” I might have told you…while the reality is I’ve neglected this poor blog for the last 5 countries or so. That said, it’s time for a catch-up. I’ve been journaling a bit, and really only a bit, along the way, and I’ve compiled some lessons that I’ve learned from the road thus far, and I think, if anything, these lessons would give the best glimpse of the journey that my heart has trekked in the past month (Yes! It’s already been that long!). Mind you, there is nothing new under the sun, so don’t get to excited; you may, in fact, learn nothing from this post. Also, I cannot claim ignorance to some of these lessons hitherto my European excursion, but the Lord surely has worked to concrete them into my mind and heart.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands: A chorus sings louder and truer than one voice – each voice is made relevant with company. This I learned from not being able to speak (which my last post reflected on a touch), and surrendering the words of the Spirit to be summoned from other’s lips, rather than my greedy own.
Hamburg, Germany: A resonance of Oswald Chambers: “Never make principle out of your experience, let God be as original with other people as He is with you.” This was/is an ongoing struggle. I have been so blessed, as well as challenged, by the diversity of personalities on my team. As much as my pride massages messages of my own uniqueness into the slurping synapses, I cannot forget that God is infinitely creative beyond the creation of me. I have truly learned of and had to face by deep-seated selfishness on this trip, but the me-me-me massage is acquitted by the acupuncture that is the act of coming to know another’s character. It is truly beautiful to see new and sometimes enigmatic traits of our heavenly Father exhibited in His children. Each trait is like a painfully sweet needle, tapping into your inner channels to press for harmony and healing. I have come to experience and explore boldness, out-going-ness, straightforwardness, meekness, courage, gentleness, and people-passion as I have not been given personally, but been blessed (and again, challenged) to be the audience of by existing with my beloved teammates.
Berlin, Germany: A lesson in hospitality: Welcome others into your inner world if you are unfamiliar with the geographical place you are presently. Additionally, invite others to explore that unfamiliar physical place so that, per chance (or blessing), you may get to know your shared spiritual place as well. This lesson was essentially taught by Ian, a Brit who came to be a close friend to the team in Berlin. Ian had become somewhat familiar with Berlin from previous visits, and didn’t do the “touristy” things with us, but showed us some cool spots around the city at night, and generally and genuinely wanted to spend time with us, and us with them. It is a beautiful thing when people want to explore each other’s lives and just dwell in a calm love that is so warming that it allows the air of familiarity to flow through relationality’s windpipe as through a jazz sax, playing a tune you can sway to as you loose your mutual chains. In such warmth humanity is made and that which is broken can be healed. Thanks for the love, Ian.
Krakow, Poland: Another, but very different lesson about humanity from Auschwitz: Sometimes you must sacrifice, lay down one part of your humanity so that your whole humanity does not suffer from the poison to which you may sponge yourself. Death is dank – it sticks to your bones. Hate is heavy – it weighs on your soul. Both of these are contrary to the way that God exists and calls for us to thrive in victory – life and love. One of the days we spent in Krakow we took a trip with some hostel-mates to the remains of concentration camp Auschwitz. Such a “daytrip” cannot and could not be taken lightly. If one enters the gates and expects just another history lesson, in their blindness they will leave bruised. In order for you to be able to face the atrocities that occurred during the Holocaust, you must tie half of your humanity, anchored, to sink into the ground before the gates to be retrieved back to life once the other half has shriveled through the death-cycle of fall (the experience of walking through the death camp) and needs the warmth of life through the cold reflection of winter (the ride home, awestruck and aggrieved) before your humanity is fully restored in the sprouting that comes with conclusive meditation in a community of common sufferers (communal discussion or commonly agreed silence). Only when you recognize the death of humanity in yourself can you sympathize and attempt to reconcile with the enormity of the Holocaust.
Budapest, Hungary: A lesson in self-control: Your eyes are the doorstep to your soul, so don’t let thieves in. or Don’t plant seeds in the garden that you don’t want to see grow. Europe is a land of liberty, of sorts previously un-experienced or unavailable, or maybe inapplicable. All those things that Mom told you to stay away from: drugs, sex, and rock-and-roll, are rampant. Such liberty requires two things (with freedom comes responsibility, they [maybe Moms again] say) : self-discipline for yourself, and grace for others. Though there are many distractions, this is actually an easy place to see God’s love. He is seen in the freedom we have to do anything that is beneficial, since all is permissible, and He is seen in the grace that cushions the fall of our mistakes and allows us to accept others in whatever condition they may be in. In Budapest, for the first time in my life, I thought, “Hmm, a beer would be nice.” No, drinking one beer is not a sin in itself (though drunkenness is), but this is rather out of character for me (denoting a fold in integrity) and a susceptibility to a sin hitherto unacknowledged. Essentially, with so many things available I need all the more prayer for wisdom and I need all the more wariness of Satan’s stratagem.
Vienna, Austria: (Retreat – here we hung out with Katie and Becca, the travel partners, did some reflection, prayer, and a bit more eating) Here I learned a lesson from some reading I’ve been doing along the way: Honesty really is the best policy, especially with yourself, but even with your all-knowing God. I picked up a book from the hostel here called Spiritual Depression (I know, light reading, eh?). However I really find it to be a God-sent. Strangely enough, I had been considering making a piece of art that had to do with the branch and reflectively the root system of a tree, done in a single tone, and there on the cover of this book is the very image I had been picturing…hmmm. That said, this book has given me good insight and good ways to reflect on my spiritual struggles and search for deeper joy, exploring the roots and symptoms of what Martyn Lloyd-Jones calls “spiritual depression”, seeking to be a better example of God’s light and life. Probably more lessons to come from this reflective text.
Ljubljana, Slovenia: Be bold in love, there really isn’t much to lose, if anything. Though, there is much to gain. This is an ongoing lesson, as many of these listed are. Particularly in Ljubljana I learned this lesson from a man named Pias (symphonically, “pious”) who was looking for God’s love, just as we all are, I suppose, but I found it really easy to just love on him through conversation. I might more about this story later…I have quite a bit to say about it.
Florence, Italy: This lesson really won’t make sense to those who I have not already discussed my philosophy of "casual intimacy”, but that is another subject for later (will I really get to these other subjects is the question…) : Casual Intimacy is difficult between those you don’t already know, but a culture of it is possible, however you need to be able to love others the way they love to be loved. Since, I imagine, that was hogwash to you, I learned that affection can be laced into a culture – you can easily see close friends greeting and farewell-ing with kisses and tight hugs and harboring delightful, energetic conversations on the cozy (though then wet) Italian streets – however the most important love you can show is that which is longed for by the receiver, by this I mean pay attention to all that “love language” stuff. If they long for tough, give a comforting pat/rub on the back, if they long for gifts, gelato may be great. :)
Gryon, Switzerland: On conquering my fear of heights: It’s easier to tell myself that I can’t do something than it is to tell myself that I don’t exist in a moment/movement, so just keep on trucking. Hiking along the spine of the Alps isn’t exactly easy when you’ve got a fear of heights lurching on your back. However, I learned that it’s easier to just keep moving rather than stop and look at the obstacle/ beautiful mountain scene in front of you. I’m sure this applies to more than just acrophobia.
Current location: Bern, the capital city of Switzerland.
Well, there you have ‘em, some essential lessons from the road, some of the things that I will take from this journey, the True souvenirs, take them as you will.
C’est tout pour maintenant. That’s all for now.
Peace and Understanding in the lessons you are learning.
Please share.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands: A chorus sings louder and truer than one voice – each voice is made relevant with company. This I learned from not being able to speak (which my last post reflected on a touch), and surrendering the words of the Spirit to be summoned from other’s lips, rather than my greedy own.
Hamburg, Germany: A resonance of Oswald Chambers: “Never make principle out of your experience, let God be as original with other people as He is with you.” This was/is an ongoing struggle. I have been so blessed, as well as challenged, by the diversity of personalities on my team. As much as my pride massages messages of my own uniqueness into the slurping synapses, I cannot forget that God is infinitely creative beyond the creation of me. I have truly learned of and had to face by deep-seated selfishness on this trip, but the me-me-me massage is acquitted by the acupuncture that is the act of coming to know another’s character. It is truly beautiful to see new and sometimes enigmatic traits of our heavenly Father exhibited in His children. Each trait is like a painfully sweet needle, tapping into your inner channels to press for harmony and healing. I have come to experience and explore boldness, out-going-ness, straightforwardness, meekness, courage, gentleness, and people-passion as I have not been given personally, but been blessed (and again, challenged) to be the audience of by existing with my beloved teammates.
Berlin, Germany: A lesson in hospitality: Welcome others into your inner world if you are unfamiliar with the geographical place you are presently. Additionally, invite others to explore that unfamiliar physical place so that, per chance (or blessing), you may get to know your shared spiritual place as well. This lesson was essentially taught by Ian, a Brit who came to be a close friend to the team in Berlin. Ian had become somewhat familiar with Berlin from previous visits, and didn’t do the “touristy” things with us, but showed us some cool spots around the city at night, and generally and genuinely wanted to spend time with us, and us with them. It is a beautiful thing when people want to explore each other’s lives and just dwell in a calm love that is so warming that it allows the air of familiarity to flow through relationality’s windpipe as through a jazz sax, playing a tune you can sway to as you loose your mutual chains. In such warmth humanity is made and that which is broken can be healed. Thanks for the love, Ian.
Krakow, Poland: Another, but very different lesson about humanity from Auschwitz: Sometimes you must sacrifice, lay down one part of your humanity so that your whole humanity does not suffer from the poison to which you may sponge yourself. Death is dank – it sticks to your bones. Hate is heavy – it weighs on your soul. Both of these are contrary to the way that God exists and calls for us to thrive in victory – life and love. One of the days we spent in Krakow we took a trip with some hostel-mates to the remains of concentration camp Auschwitz. Such a “daytrip” cannot and could not be taken lightly. If one enters the gates and expects just another history lesson, in their blindness they will leave bruised. In order for you to be able to face the atrocities that occurred during the Holocaust, you must tie half of your humanity, anchored, to sink into the ground before the gates to be retrieved back to life once the other half has shriveled through the death-cycle of fall (the experience of walking through the death camp) and needs the warmth of life through the cold reflection of winter (the ride home, awestruck and aggrieved) before your humanity is fully restored in the sprouting that comes with conclusive meditation in a community of common sufferers (communal discussion or commonly agreed silence). Only when you recognize the death of humanity in yourself can you sympathize and attempt to reconcile with the enormity of the Holocaust.
Budapest, Hungary: A lesson in self-control: Your eyes are the doorstep to your soul, so don’t let thieves in. or Don’t plant seeds in the garden that you don’t want to see grow. Europe is a land of liberty, of sorts previously un-experienced or unavailable, or maybe inapplicable. All those things that Mom told you to stay away from: drugs, sex, and rock-and-roll, are rampant. Such liberty requires two things (with freedom comes responsibility, they [maybe Moms again] say) : self-discipline for yourself, and grace for others. Though there are many distractions, this is actually an easy place to see God’s love. He is seen in the freedom we have to do anything that is beneficial, since all is permissible, and He is seen in the grace that cushions the fall of our mistakes and allows us to accept others in whatever condition they may be in. In Budapest, for the first time in my life, I thought, “Hmm, a beer would be nice.” No, drinking one beer is not a sin in itself (though drunkenness is), but this is rather out of character for me (denoting a fold in integrity) and a susceptibility to a sin hitherto unacknowledged. Essentially, with so many things available I need all the more prayer for wisdom and I need all the more wariness of Satan’s stratagem.
Vienna, Austria: (Retreat – here we hung out with Katie and Becca, the travel partners, did some reflection, prayer, and a bit more eating) Here I learned a lesson from some reading I’ve been doing along the way: Honesty really is the best policy, especially with yourself, but even with your all-knowing God. I picked up a book from the hostel here called Spiritual Depression (I know, light reading, eh?). However I really find it to be a God-sent. Strangely enough, I had been considering making a piece of art that had to do with the branch and reflectively the root system of a tree, done in a single tone, and there on the cover of this book is the very image I had been picturing…hmmm. That said, this book has given me good insight and good ways to reflect on my spiritual struggles and search for deeper joy, exploring the roots and symptoms of what Martyn Lloyd-Jones calls “spiritual depression”, seeking to be a better example of God’s light and life. Probably more lessons to come from this reflective text.
Ljubljana, Slovenia: Be bold in love, there really isn’t much to lose, if anything. Though, there is much to gain. This is an ongoing lesson, as many of these listed are. Particularly in Ljubljana I learned this lesson from a man named Pias (symphonically, “pious”) who was looking for God’s love, just as we all are, I suppose, but I found it really easy to just love on him through conversation. I might more about this story later…I have quite a bit to say about it.
Florence, Italy: This lesson really won’t make sense to those who I have not already discussed my philosophy of "casual intimacy”, but that is another subject for later (will I really get to these other subjects is the question…) : Casual Intimacy is difficult between those you don’t already know, but a culture of it is possible, however you need to be able to love others the way they love to be loved. Since, I imagine, that was hogwash to you, I learned that affection can be laced into a culture – you can easily see close friends greeting and farewell-ing with kisses and tight hugs and harboring delightful, energetic conversations on the cozy (though then wet) Italian streets – however the most important love you can show is that which is longed for by the receiver, by this I mean pay attention to all that “love language” stuff. If they long for tough, give a comforting pat/rub on the back, if they long for gifts, gelato may be great. :)
Gryon, Switzerland: On conquering my fear of heights: It’s easier to tell myself that I can’t do something than it is to tell myself that I don’t exist in a moment/movement, so just keep on trucking. Hiking along the spine of the Alps isn’t exactly easy when you’ve got a fear of heights lurching on your back. However, I learned that it’s easier to just keep moving rather than stop and look at the obstacle/ beautiful mountain scene in front of you. I’m sure this applies to more than just acrophobia.
Current location: Bern, the capital city of Switzerland.
Well, there you have ‘em, some essential lessons from the road, some of the things that I will take from this journey, the True souvenirs, take them as you will.
C’est tout pour maintenant. That’s all for now.
Peace and Understanding in the lessons you are learning.
Please share.
