Love. The word placed in my heart as I have felt deprivaton of words. Hence I return home from the most incredible adventure I have been on…thus far, Israel… The Holy Land, and I can’t seem to put the experience into words. When it comes down to it the deepest emotion seen, experiences, and lived over the past month is LOVE.
Love received from and given to our Creator, old friends, new friends, family, acquaintances, and U Squad (that is our squad during the race). For this I am unendingly grateful! As I am going to share a bit about Israel I want to express just how beautifully God placed each and every one of us on the tour, and how he established loving relationships among us all. We all came from such different walks of life, yet we had the most important thing in common. Love for our savior Jesus Christ, and our walk alongside Him.
(Where you go I’ll go, where you stay I’ll stay, when you move I’ll move. I will follow you…who you love I’ll love, how you serve I’ll serve, if this life I lose, I will follow you – I Will Follow by Chris Tomlin)
Every conversation about Israel was a little bit different, so each answer was a little different. I will share a few example answers…
Mallory (U Squad mate): What do you feel like is the coolest thing God showed you/ u learned while in Israel? Also any funny stories?
Me: He showed me so many things. To list a few He showed me how incredibly present He is in our every day lives, and how we can have such a strong relationship with Him and not have to be where He was. He is no longer there. He is within us. He showed me just how tainted the world is, and that He is preparing us a His warriors to be the light saving people in the depths of darkness. He showed me that there are endless disruptions in our lives…we have to master being silent and still to hear Him to never lose trust or hope. He showed me that when we least expect it He will reveal things that stir our hearts – this happened at The Wilderness of Zin for me. I am not one impressed by the desert, but God wrenched my heart when He showed me the beauty from this. How we can wander for years and years, yet if we just listen/obey we will be brought into the land of milk and honey. Honestly I haven’t laughed as much as I did while I was there in a really long time. I mean like really laugh (cheeks hurting/tears in eyes). Most of it came from the group of people I was with. Little things such as coming together as brother and sisters with humility/connection/stories and knowing we are in a safe place. We are all in the same realms. I can’t quite explain it lol. But when you have new foods, constantly around each other, and living in the flesh there are so many funnies that come up.
At The Mount of Beatitudes as Brian (Daily Audio Bible Shepard) was reading scripture that Jesus spoke to a crowd the image planted behind my eyelids was a lamp with a constant out pour of light. That light is the light of God.
Matthew 5:14-16 – You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify you Father in heaven.
We are gifted the light from The Holy Spirit flowing in and taking residence within our souls. Which leads me to the public representation of the death and repentance of my sins, and the rise to new life in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. I was baptized in The Jordan River where Jesus Christ was baptized. I will never forget my first breath… whether that was because the water was cold or because Jesus breathed His breath into me.
Matthew 3:11 – I will baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful that I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you wit the Holy Spirit and fire.
Tonight in a small group Bible study we focused on Mark 4:35-41. It brought be back to the moment when we were on a boat named “Faith” on the Sea of Galilee. This moment for me words could never do justice. I will share the best I can. A declared 10 minutes of silence came over the boat. The sun was reflecting off the stillness of the water. My mind and heart were open to receive anything the Lord was willing to share with me. There must be something to it when I close my eyes, because yet again an image so clear portrayed. Jesus was standing on the Galilee, His arms were stretched out towards me. He has a magnificent glow around Him. Jesus said, “Trust me”. He didn’t say this once He said it over and over again. As if once wasn’t enough. Trust me and walk out onto the waters to be embraced with my loving arms. I saw myself slowly taking a step off the boat onto the water and walking towards Him. My arms spread out like I needed to balance on the water. With His voice giving direction and me trusting Him I made it into the comfort of His arms.
In Mark the disciples were going through a storm. They were scared for their lives as Jesus was sleeping in he boat. The frightful men rushed to wake Jesus.
Mark 4:39-40 – He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
We constantly have to renew our minds and have faith that He will direct our ways and trust Him with our lives. This is made easier for me, because I view my life as His life. He gave me this life. He has a divine purpose for my life. My part is to obey, listen to the Holy Spirit, and trust His plans. Do not be afraid, and have faith. Have faith that as we walk with our Heavenly Father He will endure the storms of life with us. He will bring quiet and stillness in the midst of chaos. We are not alone.
(…when my spirit is weak You come to my aid, I’m lost without You I’ll never doubt You, You rescued me and I believe, That God is love and He is all I need – You’re Not Alone by Owl City feat. Britt Nicole)
God is love! He knows who, what, where, and when we are in need. I want to give Him praise, because He has preciously provided for me. He used my squadmate Amy last night when we thought we called each other to get to know each other better, and yes that happened, but so much Godly wisdom was shared within that conversation.
To sum it up touring Israel was a blessing! To walk in the footsteps of Jesus was incredible, sad, lovely, etc. I will never again read The Bible the same. Thank the Lord above.
Holy Spirit,
I come to you today in love and thanksgiving. Lord I am thankful for the love You so generously give. We need love, and long to give love. Thank you for all of the beautiful hearts that you have placed in my life. I pray that I will love like you Jesus. I pray that your light will shine from me. I will trust you Lord, with all aspects of my life. I pray for those in need of love. I pray that they will find the endless love You give, and that Your love will be enough. It is a true and promised love. As I wear my ring from Israel that says in Hebrew “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine. – Solomon 6:3 I will honor our promises we have to one another. Lord, I love you and thank you. In Jesus name I pray. Amen
Hosea 2:19-20 – I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will acknowledge the Lord.
Church of the Primacy of St. Peter stone hearts. May this place in my heart be filled with love.
FORGIVE | LOVE | GRACE | DISCIPLESHIP | FAITH | COMPASSION
