I was alone in the sauna at the community center mid-morning several weeks ago after swimming. Then a man appearing to be in his thirties entered – Jeremy was his name, I learned later. He sat on the bench to my right in the 6 feet by 9 feet space.
After a few minutes of silence I commented upon how hot the temperature was, in contrast with the 5 degree Fahrenheit out-of-doors cold of the morning. Jeremy agreed, then fell silent and lowered his head.
About two minutes later he raised his head and spoke about how it would be to sit within an atmosphere of meeting-in-the-middle of the two extreme temperatures. Now he was looking at me. “Hmm … have you been pondering that concept since I last spoke?” I asked.” Yes,” Jeremy answered.
“That’s interesting,” I replied, “and have you always been a ponderer?”
“No,” he answered, “not until about three years ago.”
Momentarily, I considered whether or not to ask about “three years ago.” I wanted to hear his story so I approached, “Of course, it’s none of my business, but what brought about the change?”
“Oh, it’s okay to ask,” came his quick response. But he paused before he continued, “I think it’s that God stirred my heart to let me know that life’s about more than just going from one thing to the next, and the next, one after another.
“Life and religion and faith are about more than showing up at a church and getting fed information without any attention to reflection.”
How does one respond in a sauna to a comment about heart stirring? I considered, briefly, then I thought it better in our social exchange to stick with the aspect of “pondering” than of “God,” given the already hot atmosphere around us.
“So are you able to ponder in your work, now, or in some other activity,” I asked – “but, of course, that, too, is none of my business.”
“It’s alright,” Jeremy reassured me, “Yes, I do ponder in work … I’m a faith leader.”
I smiled at his answer – apparently, God wanted time in the sauna, too!
Jeremy went on to tell me that a small group of people meets Sunday evenings in a local church building and meets during the week in people’s homes. They gather to reflect upon the “more” that life, and religion, and faith are. They know that some of the “more” has to do with God in personal experience, and has to do with community. He said that they want to attend to both.
“I’m Jeremy, by the way,” he said, reaching out his hand to shake mine. His grip was firm.
“I’m Elva.”
Our name-sharing encouraged his additional observation, “I think many churches and religious groups just want their congregations to be bold and spread the word of what they’re told to believe without thinking it through. They don’t reflect.”
We both pondered an additional moment or two. Then I stood to leave – it really was hot in the sauna … I had stayed beyond my usual level of endurance. As I passed in front of Jeremy on my way out the door I reached for his hand, shook it, and thanked him for conversing. He responded by saying that he appreciated my questions.
Later we happened to exit our respective locker rooms at the same time.”I think I’ll tell my children your story,” I said. He replied, “That would be good.”
Good, indeed! Headline of the Good News of the day: God In The Sauna!
I like that the “ineffable mystery”* surprises – even in saunas.
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*Albert Schweitzer in The Quest of the Historical Jesus: “He comes to us as One unknown, without a name, as of old, by the lakeside, He came to those men who knew Him not. He speaks to us the same words: “Follow thou me!” and sets us to the tasks which He has to fulfill for our time. He commands. And to those who obey Him, whether they be wise or simple, He will reveal himself in the toils, the conflicts, the sufferings which they shall pass through in His fellowship, and, as an ineffable mystery, they shall learn in their own experience Who He is.”
