Seek and Find

Growing up we all played a game called hide and seek. During the next few days and hopefully throughout the rest of my life I will play and live by a new way, "Seek and Find". We are all here to seek and find God to a variety of places and with a variety of people. But will we always want what we find? Today I heard some information from our guide Claudia that really challenged me. Sometimes the escavation projects that were done long ago here were done to find or prove a certain point. However, when they began to dig and find things that were contrary, sometimes they ignored it or even "reburied" their findings. I hope that as I seek and find I will be willing to accept and not cover up or rebury whatever God reveals to me - even when I don't seem to like it every much. Believing that my God's everlasting love is so great that though I may not want it or like it - God has a plan for me.

The Word of God came to life as I saw and touched things that I had only read about. I touched the Sea of Galilee, I touched the mensa or table that Jesus might have used to prepare breakfast for his disciples when he returned from the grave, I heard praises lifted up in song by pilgrims from Fiji in the church of the loaves and fishes, I climbed a hill to see an overview of the land that Jesus walked, I stood under a carob tree with fellow travelers telling and listening to stories like people in the past used to do with Jesus, I listened to an Arab Christian sharing her story of how so few original Christians like herself are still here in this holy land, and I saw a whole country honoring the Sabbath by closing down stores, preparing their meals ahead of time, and spending time with family and friends in reverence to God. How different would our lives be if we truly honored the sabbath in our lives? To take time to rest and to reflect, to appreciate and be grateful, to play and delight in creation, in our relationships, and in God.

So much to seek and so much to find. I pray that I will have the eyes to see and the grace and strength to accept and live out what I find.

PS. Paul has arrived, but only one suitcase so far.... keep praying!