This summer, I got to meet some really neat people in the film industry–some whose work I knew even as a kid. But honestly, that pales in comparison to the experience of walking where Jesus walked, and being in some of the exact locations of significant Biblical events from thousands of years ago. I read the Bible so differently now.
I don’t know where to begin to unpack my whole trip. (It’ll probably be in several posts.) I rode a donkey with a Bedouin guide in Jordan. (Not a camel because those are REALLY tall and the ride is terrifying.) The overall trip was surreal, especially from a faith standpoint, but I also loved connecting with my group. A major “theme” of my trip was that God is faithful, consistent, and ever-present. We saw that throughout all the history we learned, from Moses to Jesus, but also in my group’s dynamics.
I connected with a new friend named Robin right away. She’s in her 30’s and single. Before we even got on the plane, we connected about our past relational situations, rejections, hopes, and fears. Even though my roster of single friends has dwindled a whole lot over the years (to where I can count them on one hand), I always seem to have at least one to lean on. We both felt like the trip was an incredible adventure that re-centered us, and the tour group felt like a family. Single people really need the church to be our family.
It was a special experience to be in Israel for a Friday night (the start of Shabbat), and the start of Hanukkah. Jerusalem was very festive, especially at the Western Wall. I loved watching groups of Jewish people sing and dance. It occurred to me to ask around my group if anyone knew if Jesus celebrated Hanukkah. Someone mentioned that in John 10, he went up to Jerusalem for the winter Festival of Dedication (“Hanukkah” is Hebrew for “dedication”). At that moment, walking around the Western Wall in Jerusalem, it hit me: Jesus was here… both in the past, and in the present.
On my first full tour day, I stood at the top of Mt. Nebo in Jordan, which is where God showed Moses the Promised Land. I have a photo of that exact view towards Israel. Throughout the tour, I got to know some of the Jewish story after settling into the Promised Land (as told in the Old Testament). While there were still battles to fight, God was faithful to bring them victory (as long as they were faithful). And on my last tour day, I stood on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem and walked in some of the places Jesus walked. The Jewish tour guide kept repeating that Israel’s existence today is evidence that God always fulfills His promises.
I’m normally very future and vision-oriented. That gives me direction to steer in (so I don’t make decisions where I end up wandering aimlessly), but on the negative side, I’m prone to worrying about “getting there.” After what feels like traveling through the whole Bible for 15 days straight, those worries don’t really matter. If I live my life in such a way that more people come to know Jesus more deeply, then I’ve fulfilled my life’s purpose. I don’t need the perfect career. It doesn’t matter if I’m ever a wife and mom. All that matters is that my life points to Jesus.
Cheers to 2023, and surrendering it all to Him.
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