the place my heart cries for
"I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth." - Isaiah 49:6
For as long as I can remember I have had a big heart for the Jewish people and their land. I have always been affected by what happened to the Jews during WWII and still to this day, cannot conceive how so many people could be treated with so much hatred. Then again, they have a very long history of being targeted by the enemy. The Bible is full of their stories of affliction and legacy. In Scripture we find a people who have known suffering, conflict, God's mercies and grace, and a people in deep search for a messiah. To this day, many of them are looking for a messiah, but have not found the one true Messiah. In a land that has known more suffering, war, and chaos than I will ever know, I pray for peace and for them to know the Messiah who suffered on their behalf.
When I think about Israel in today's world, I see a nation so in need of our support, love, and gospel. A nation so worn and broken by the affliction of the enemy and crying out for peace. However, we have this perception that the Holy Land is full of terrorist attacks, war, and conflict. I have heard many stories that it is often the opposite of that and quite a safe place. As Christians, we should be doing as Christ asked of us to go into all the nations and share His message of Salvation to all nations. I don't think there's any better time to share His love story than right now and shine His light to those who walk in darkness.
When I was about 15 years old I felt this tug at my heart to go and serve in Israel and told myself that I would go someday. And here I am 16 years later, and I still haven't gone. Year after year I tell myself that this will be the year that I will go. Nothing is exactly preventing me from going, except my insecurity and lack of faith. I use money, timing, and many other excuses and none of them are valid reasons. I just keep telling myself that I'll go someday, and someday has turned into 16 years. So I am making myself and God a promise that I will go and serve His people because this is what I have been called to do. No more excuses. No more borders. Just faith, trust, bravery, courage, and knowing God will carry me every step of the way.
I know what you're thinking, "Why Israel?" But I ask the question, "Why not?" My heart stirs for the Middle East and for the refugees who have been tossed about and find themselves without love, acceptance, and a home. As Americans, we tend to carry more fear in our hearts than love, trust, and humility to do what God has called us to do. We make excuses. We strive for valid reasons to not go. We tell ourselves it will be scary and uncomfortable. We ask a lot of what ifs, despite the fact they are only what ifs and not the truth. God will never send us anywhere where He doesn't know the plan. He doesn't send us alone--He is with us every step of the way. We don't have to take care of ourselves, for He is our provider and defender in every circumstance and every place, no matter how far away.
I am in the process of signing up for a vision trip with Mission to the World to serve in the Holy Land in May. As of right now there are about two people signed up, including myself, and they need at least six more in order to send us. Please be praying that more individuals would sign up, and if you feel led, please sign up yourself! I know that if this is what the Lord wants, all the necessaries will fall into place, including this matter as well as financial concerns.
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