“The water I give will become in you a spring of water that gives eternal life.” ~ John 4:14
The water was calm as Kailani
floated on her longboard. The minimal wind had the board gliding across the
water, cutting through it like a laser through mild steel – “glassy” in
surfer-speak. She could almost see her reflection while she waited.
During these brief moments, the universe slows down, as if
time itself stopped its linear progression. Just being out there, floating on
the water, feeling the sun, feet dangling in the water, absorbing the oceans’
natural beauty fully engulfed by God’s presence.
Almost immediately, she could feel her muscles relaxing, her
breaths growing deeper and her brainwaves slowing down to mirror the gentle
roll of the waves.
Whether it’s embracing the sea breeze, the gentle lapping of
waves, or the glint of sunshine on a rippling surface, there’s something deeply
restorative about being in or near water.
Kailani erased the distant traffic. She thought of her cell
phone, sitting on the coffee table at home. She couldn't stop bad things from happening
in the world even if she turned off the 24/7 news. To her, this was the place
for quiet contemplation. Here she thought about love, the people she cherished,
and what was right with her life.
She felt God's whisper echo from the sea. Once found, this
happiness will be easier to find again.
As a scientist, what Kailani experienced wasn’t just in her
head. There’s a growing body of evidence revealing the remarkable truth about
the benefits of being in, on, under, or simply near water. Even taking a shower,
or glimpsing a photograph of a river will do the job. Even a fountain may do.
The Victorians knew this, prescribing sea air as a treatment
for melancholy. So did the French, who, for centuries, sent people with
ailments to natural springs. Now modern scientists are catching up.
Scientists believe that the atmosphere at a beach, on the
ocean, or by moving water contains elevated levels of negatively charged ions.
These ions cause the brain to release mood-enhancing serotonin and reduce blood
lactate levels, lowering stress.
Dr. Wallace Nichols called it “Blue Mind.” It’s a mind at
rest, neither overly positive nor negative. It's Zen, it's mindfulness. It's
joyful, it's chill.
Kailani calls it being at peace with God, living in harmony
with all that He’s created, trusting in unanswered questions, fearing neither
death nor eternity. She’s secure in the knowledge that Jesus has done all that
was necessary to make her right with God – a peace that passes all
understanding.
Loving God, I’m a sinner and ask for Your
forgiveness. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe that He died for my
sin and that You raised Him to life. I seek to trust Him as my Savior and
follow Him as Lord. Amen
