Christianity has many symbols to represent its beliefs and faith in Jesus Christ; the Cross, Triangle, and Fish to name a few. The fish is an early Christian symbol, derived from the Greek word “ichthus,” and translated in English to the word “fish.” The original Greek word for fish is an acrostic. Each letter in the Greek word for fish “ichthus” represents another word:
- “I”- Jesus
- “ch”- Christ
- “th”- God’s
- “u”- Son
- “s”- Savior
According to tradition, ancient Christians, during their persecution by the Roman Empire in the first few centuries after Christ, used the fish symbol to mark meeting places and tombs, or to distinguish friends from foes. The symbol of the fish is mentioned throughout the Bible several times and has different symbolic meanings. Such as, the story in Luke when Christ fed the 5,000 with 2 fishes and 5 loaves; also in the book of Mark, when Jesus called his disciples "fishers of men."
Mark 1:16-17 “Passing along the beach of Lake Galilee, He saw Simon and his brother Andrew net-fishing. Fishing was their regular work. Jesus said to them, "Come with me. I'll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I'll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass."
Habakkuk 1:14 “You're treating men and women as so many fish in the ocean, Swimming without direction, swimming but not getting anywhere.”
FISH POSE DESCRIPTION
Ultimately, the use of symbols in the Christian faith should be used as a means to draw us into a deeper relationship with Him. As you practice this week’s challenge poses, try meditating on what God would like you to glean from such symbols of the Christian faith.
- Begin lying in Corpse Pose, with hands at sides and palms facing down
- Then rock your body to each side in order to place the hands below the buttocks, resting your bottom on the backs of your hands (keep hands in this position throughout this pose)
- Press the feet, ankles and legs together and flex your feet so toes are pointing toward the sky, feeling everything engage
- Gently press your bottom down onto the tops of your hands. You may need to scoot your elbows a little closer together underneath your back as they will be a main support in this posture.
- Press your elbows and forearms into the floor evenly, lifting your back up off the floor.
- Inhale and arc your chest to the sky as you drop your head back
- Let the crown of your head lightly touch the floor or hover the crown just slightly, placing no weight on your head and neck
Focus on:
- Reaching the heels away and keeping the legs engaged
- With every inhale increase the arc and gently open your chest a little more. Hold here for several breaths, about 15- 20 seconds
- To release out, engage the core and inhale your head up so it’s in line with the rest of your spine and exhale gently lower back to the floor
- Release your hands out from under your bottom
****Take caution in this pose if you have Neck, Shoulder, Back, Elbow, or Wrist Injuries; avoid pose if serious low back or neck issues exist
Benefits: Opens chest and stimulates thyroid
Sometimes one must be willing to enter the darkness in order to find the Light. Rabbits are interesting animals, they are perfectly fine grounded above the earth's surface, but also they are at home beneath the surface. In the face of darkness they do not require an outside source of light to direct their steps. Instead they rely on something that is already inside; something quietly, simply waiting to be noticed and trusted. The question then becomes will you follow Him into the rabbit hole; the unknown, the darkest places of your soul? Will you just go, without first seeking an outside source to light the way? Resting on the awareness of His Presence and the Light shining within your heart; no matter how dim it may seem in the darkness of the underneath? It's a matter of finding comfort in the uncertain territory not because you know yourself but because you know The Inner Light. "Noverim Te, Noverim Me" translated in action "May I know You, may I know myself." I do not believe that you can truly have the latter without the previous. Face your fears and leave what feels like solid ground to enter a whole new reality, a whole new love before the only One who knows you and is willing to the Light the way from the inside out!
RABBIT POSE DESCRIPTION
~Starting from childs pose
~Begin to press the forehead gentle towards the knees
~Extend your arms backwards and grab hold of your heals if able, ankles or calves will work just fine as well
~Taking a deep breath in and on the exhale begin lifting the hips towards the sky
~Attempting to keep the forehead as close as possible to the knees with the crown of the head towards the floor
~Contract your abdominal muscles and breath, holding and waiting for the Light to come and reveal the way you must go.....
~Relax as needed then repeat as needed ;)
SONG SUGGESTIONS
The Door by Jill Phillips
Windows of Thy Grace by Red Mountain Church
Cielo by Phil Wickham
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