It’s been three and a half weeks since I walked the land of the bible. Memories mellow and some impressions linger over the long term. As life continues at it’s normal hectic pace, it seems that the trip to Israel was a dream or a fantasy – was I really there at all? But no – it was no fantasy, but rather a flesh and blood place that echoes with the clash of King David’s sword, the bold challenges of Elijah, the prayers of Hezekiah and the proclamations of Jesus. How meaningful to be there and now to synthesize what I have seen and learned in my everyday Christian life. Can any sincere Christian have no interest in going there??
Being in a foreign country opens up one’s world far wider than staying in a safe familiar spot. We are forced to review what we believe and why and I think that is good. The discontinuity of being in an unfamiliar spot opens us up to new ideas and makes us quicker to learn. Time spent in Israel deepens and challenges our faith. Learning the history of this pivotal place on the globe makes us realize that Canada is a Johnny come lately to world events and progress!
It was a real pleasure to give my travelogue last week to a full house and I have only one regret: that I didn’t have a sign up sheet for those who would seriously consider going to this amazing place. For most of us, it is ultimately a matter of money and little else. I do find that money flows to our goals.
So let me know if you would seriously consider a teaching trip to the land of the bible. Who knows – next spring you may be there!