Day 04 - West Central Turkey: Hierapolis, Laodicea, Colossae

Day four let’s go!! Eli here, signed on to give you an update of what we’ve been up to today.

I’ll start with some questions for you: Who gets to decide what the good life is? What are you willing to endure in pursuit of the good life Christ promises?

We started with an unforgettable experience in the sky. We got to take a hot air balloon ride at sunrise! It was an incredible beginning to the day. As we embarked on our next excursion, we continued our conversation about the good life. We visited the ancient city of Hierapolis and talked through the legacy of Epaphras on the people in this city as well as Colosae and Laodicea. Epaphras is an example of living the good life and pointing people to faithfulness, love, and hope in the gospel of Christ. 

While also in Hierapolis, we also learned about Philip and his pursuit of the true good life in Christ. Sitting in a martyrium, a monument built in remembrance of Philip, Jared told us about Philip’s commitment to the gospel. He counted his life as nothing to do what was righteous in the eyes of God. This is the good life, following Christ and sharing His gospel, no matter the hardships that await you. Philip chose to walk in the fear of the Lord over the fear of man and persecution. 

After this time of reflection, we dipped our toes in the Pamukkale, natural pools of hot water, known for its healing properties, cascading over the edge of a cliff.

We traveled on to the site of the ancient city of Colossea, which has some cold, refreshing springs. The crazy thing about this site is it is unexcavated. Sitting on top of the mound with the city underneath us, Jacqueline taught in the book of Philemon. Philemon is a man who likely lived in Colossae, and the letter to him is an encouragement and call-up from Paul to welcome back his former slave Onesimus. Going against the cultural norms, Paul urges Philemon to pursue the good life through reconciliation and forgiveness and unity with a man who once wronged him. This is what the good life is, letting the character of Christ set the terms of your own.

We ended the day visiting another ancient church, Laodicea. This city was known for its great wealth, influence, and ingenuity. They created water systems to carry water from a river to the city, though it would be tepid by the time it traveled this distance. This is an important connection to the letter in Revelation written to Laodicea. Jesus says that the church of Laodicea is neither hot—like the healing waters in Hierapolis—nor cold—like the refreshing springs in Colossae. They are like the very water they brought into the city, tepid and lukewarm. Jesus is calling them out for letting the presumed “good life” of the culture strangle their faith. But Jesus, in his kindness, wants to restore their relationship with him. This is the good life, abiding with Christ when the world tries to convince you not to.

Thanks for checking in and praying! We are so excited to see what the Lord continues to reveal to us throughout the rest of the trip. Eli, signing off!