Israel has been a life changing country for me. The first week when we hiked the Gospel trail along the Sea of Galilee, I had a few moments where I felt so down, discouraged and afflicted. Experiencing Israel in that way by roughing it up and camping wherever we ended up and cooking on our own gas stove was a challenge, but something I will never regret. I experienced God in such a humble and down to earth way.
God stripped me of everything I was still relying on, like associating comfort, security and peace with my environment and circumstances. It was a hard lesson to learn…-not putting your security in your 3 daily meals or in the place where you’re sleeping. We camped for 6 nights at different places and God just blessed us with bunches of bananas, hands full of grapefruit and baskets full of fish from the Galilee. He pursues, he cares.
The second week God started filling me up again after emptying me of myself. He taught me to serve in doing “small" or “useless” things like pulling out weeds and dusting off furniture… It’s not about the work but about the heart behind the work. And the right attitude is always to serve as if you’re serving God himself. In other words, not holding back and not trying to spare your energy for later, but to show a 100% commitment in your job and in what you are entrusted with. For me this is where love started filtering in. Love one another in deeds.
The third week God really poured into my life in such a powerful way that I began to see myself as royalty, as His bride and His beloved. I began to understand the love God has for Israel as a land and as a nation and that He desires to collect His lost sheep and to fetch His bride. I realised how blessed I am to be grafted into the true eternal family where Christ is the vine. It changed my heart and I felt a deep pursue from God towards me, which makes me want to react in the same way – I started pursuing God more and the more I pursue God, the more I value relationships. I desire good relationships with my family at home, with my friends, with my team and with strangers. I developed a certain love for the Gospel and I am carrying it around in my heart, waiting for the opportune moment to pour out God’s love on someone by sharing the Gospel with them. Love between brothers and sisters has become more pure to me and love between a man and a woman more holy.
As I’m growing more and more into this heavenly love, I’m gaining more self worth and self respect, in a humble way. I’m being rooted in my identity as Jesus’ bride and I experience His love for me everyday. It prompts me to share what I receive – full portions of Godly love.
The forth week God took me on a honeymoon. He took me to the stillness of the Judean desert, showing off His creation: desert fox, wild camels and a magnificent sunrise. Then He took me to the Dead Sea where all my burdens felt as light as my floating body on the salty waters. It is also the lowest point on earth – 400 m below sea level. He took me to the Red Sea where He put all his hand crafted, colour coated fish on display – a wonderful world of flashy pink, green, purple and silver sea bodies hidden in a coral reef. Then He brought me to the highest point in the Negev Desert which is part of a huge crater, the biggest of its type in the world.
God revealed so much of himself to me and if it wasn’t for this 4 week journey, I would not have been able to see His love for me in all of his majestic creation. He is my God, my beloved, my King and my redeemer. I am his daughter, bride, grace and honour and His throne of ivory and fine gold. He reigns in my heart and all nations shall see His glory and power and majesty. Every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that He is God, the Holy and righteous saviour.