Degrees of Separation

as many of you know, i have always enjoyed reading and listening to Rob Bell's biblical perspective on many relevant issues. in july, he spoke on a series titled, "God is Green." This interested me especially since I have been exploring environmental issues being here at IslandWood and through discussions with my fellow grad students. I have been challenged in the ways I consume and expend energy knowingly and unknowingly. Being away from home has encouraged me to really think about how I want to live my life and I really want to be in tune with what God is providing me with in life and continue to realize that everything in life is spiritual....down to the last detail.

What really spoke to me in his "towers and tomatoes" sermon was what he referred to as degrees of separation. We tend to separate ourselves from our environment in many ways such as air conditioners, heaters, appliances, buying out of season fruits and veggies, eating "fresh" meat that probably travelled around the world before landing on our plate, which we are paying a high price for that is considered "fresh", driving all the time, etc. these things could be considered degrees of separation because they are separating us from how we could simply interact with creation and create a closer connection with God. when i think about my experiences with cooking a locally grown meal with my family and when i eat a processed meal, i am more appreciative and closer to God when i know where my food has come from. also, when i walk or ride my bike places, I am more in tune with God because i am simply enjoying creation. can we do these things in cars? yes, but we tend to get distracted and not notice the details.

yesterday, some of the grads and myself took the long way back to IslandWood, which took us a journey on the edge of the island, which provided a great view of seattle across the puget sound. when we reached the spot, we didnt keep driving...we got out of the car to admire the view. suddenly, we noticed a bald eagle flying in the sky and landed on a tree. it was my first encounter with a real bald eagle! how cool! then, another girl noticed the sound of the waves...a sound she missed from when she lived in california. soon, other cars were stopping at the same spot we were to admire the view. we told them about the eagle...and they were able to admire it as well. then, another car stopped...who had 4 people in it, who all got out to see the eagle as well...who were able to share their binoculars with us!!! all this to say...if we hadnt of gotten out of our car, none of this would have happened.

i am challenged to lessen the degrees of separation between myself and God. maybe not using appliances and chopping things myself. maybe not buying tomatoes in february but trying to buy locally, even though it might take an initial sacrifice. maybe walking or riding my bike when the weather permits, or even when it doesent....what's a wet coat or messed up hair?

my absolute goal is to learn how to grow, make and do everything myself or locally....to learn how to sustain and become more in tune to how God provides everything and become more in tune to where my daily bread is coming from....and to encourage others to do the same and take advantage of the opportunity in daily activities to connect in a deeper way to God.

" a little less consumption is always connected with a little more connection."