Welcome to “The Wild Goose Chase!” The Celtic Christians called the Holy Spirit “The Wild Goose” because it was untamed and smarter than any other bird.

Dear Sisters and Brothers:

It was very early that day after Thanksgiving back in 1988. The mist rose from the water as we chugged slowly along, headed for the dive site. The serenity of gliding along with Orcas running alongside of our boat, breaching and blowing, arching through  the water, with the sun beginning to rise over the islands and the water, the aromas of the sea blend with the cup of hot chocolate in my hand was so peace giving. There, over the engine sounds, rose the sound of the sea birds calling out as they winged their way along, I was in heaven in that moment so long ago. Sometimes I wonder why it is so much more difficult to find that place of peace these days.

It’s not just that such beauty and peace is sometimes hard to imagine; especially when you are facing a bony turkey carcass and Black Friday. It’s that we have allowed our lives to become so much more packed with things that really do not have any lasting meaning or value. Will I remember what happened today if I rise, shower, dress and go to the stores to shop the Black Friday specials today? Will my memory of an excursion to the mall be as sharp as the one from that morning on the Sound? I doubt it, because you see, this shopping stuff, it’s not going to make a difference to our balance, spirit and peace.

Puget Sound is an amazing place and back then, I was doing some commercial diving for sea urchins. We dove on surface supplied air, in dry suits in 47 degree water, and, we worked hard to harvest those urchins, make a few bucks. And, I have to say it brought me the pure pleasure of combining work with one of my true passions in life...time under the sea. But as hard as that work was, the peace and serenity it brought were far more tangible and lasting for me that a Black Friday deal on this or that.

Please don't get me wrong; I am not trying to put you or anyone down for going shopping, for enjoying that experience, but I am wondering ... where is your peace coming from these days. Where in God's creation are you allowing your Creator to touch your soul and heal your wounds? I love it under the sea; because for me, that IS a place of great healing.

John 14:27 New International Version (NIV) "27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

May your peace be full and healing! And, remember, God loves you and so do I, and there is nothing you can do about it, except love back.

Stephen