A note to Israel
A note to Israel:
I’ve been invited to come and see you. I’ve read about your land for years and have reasoned with myself that I have a decent understanding. That’s entirely based on years as a Christian, time in the Church, and the number of watercolor paintings I’ve seen of Jesus, not at all on my in-depth Scriptural knowledge. Well, I’ve changed this viewpoint immediately and with intimidation as I pack my bags and come and see you.
Can I just go ahead and get uncomfortable with you? I mean, we will have over a week together. My hands are shaking as I type. I’m fighting back tears. I’m nervous about stepping foot on your land. Your sacred land. Your ancient land. My shoe size to walk the land and my mind to capture the history are seriously too small. I don’t feel like I reach the minimum requirements. My lessons learned will need to be simple, but in simplicity, the lessons tend to stay around my heart much longer.
You are about to be very real to me - no longer maps in the back of my Bible. My toes might touch the Sea of Galilee. My lungs will breathe in the Garden of Gethsemane. My ears will hear the calls to prayer. My soul will react to Bible stories come alive that have laid flat in me.
I’m writing to let you know that I’ll be praying as I walk. I truly believe I’ll see more of you when I ask God to open my eyes. I also will grow a love for your people as I talk to the Love Giver. I want to learn from your people. I want to honor your history. I come with pen and paper and a teachable spirit. I’ve got a few friends that want to read what I’m learning. I’ll share with them the letters I write to the various places on the journey.
I will be a gracious guest to your land. I know I will consume your air, your knowledge, your history, your food, your hospitality. I hope in some way I contribute to the good of your land as well. Thank you for letting me come over.
Rather than ask God, “why me?” I’ll remember I said years ago, “send me.”
A sojourner named Shauna
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