why Israel?

i returned to the states about 48 hours ago. and spent 2 hours getting through customs and security at JFK and almost missed my connecting flight to Charlotte. i legitimately had to run through the airport 'home alone' style to get to the gate in time. having returned i have a list of things to write about from the experience that will be posted over the next few weeks.

but first things first, i want to start with why Israel?

i met up with my old friend, benny, in Jerusalem to catch up after 3 years of not seeing each other and see the city from a locals perspective. he asked me, 'of all the places you could have visited, why israel?'

i honestly can't remember what my answer was. i think i said something along the lines of education or something. but i have since contemplated the question a little further.

so some reasons for this particular trip before going:
- it was already planned and my joining the group fell into place so well with circumstances and assistance that were out of my control, it would have been foolish to pass up the opportunity.
- i would get to spend quality time with my dad and aunt and uncle.
- as someone who is a very hands on learner, it would be highly useful to my understanding of the Bible people and places.
- it was a much needed break from every day life.

after having been there the reasons include:
- to see another culture, so different, yet so similar
- to taste and eat and try new foods and flavors
- to see an old friend and although we haven't seen each other in 3 years and hardly communicated in the past year there is just something about the connection you make with a fellow camp worker that no matter the amount of time that passes, it's like you left off yesterday.
- to see the beautiful art and colors that surround the monotone colors of all the buildings, but bring life to streets as you walk by.

but the real reason i would recommend anyone go to Israel:
- to know God better and make Him known.

so much of the story of His creation centers on that place. and it all comes back to center on that place whenever He sees fit to bring about His triumphant victory over darkness fully and call His people home.

sometimes in the states it seems as if we think we created Christianity.
- we didn't.
not in the slightest. and if anything, i think we mess it up more times than not.

but to go where it was all birthed and came to be and walk on the places that are likely where Abraham, David, Elijah, the disciples, and Jesus walked. you can see that this thing is so much bigger than yourself. so much bigger than my small little corner of the world. so much bigger than i could ever think or imagine.

Christianity is rooted in Judaism. yes, Jesus is the new covenant and faith in His life, burial, and resurrection are what bring you to God. but to not consider and understand what the Jewish culture of the OT was and what the Jewish culture currently is, i feel, leaves you a little cloudy on what many of the NT teachings are talking about. to see what things would have been like first hand and to learn about what the Jewish people have experienced over the years as a culture brings so much light and understanding to the things i thought i knew (and things i had no knowledge of to begin with).

to think, we often think it is ok to give someone just a copy of the NT...when so much of the story isn't even there, seems so foolish to me now. you can't understand the end if you have no knowledge of the beginning.

reading romans 11 and psalm 122 hold much more meaning to me now than they ever could have before. pray for the peace of Jerusalem that God may be glorified there. and thank Him even more so that we were grafted in like new branches on an old olive tree to join His chosen people.

miss sherry, one of the kitchen staff at look up asked me yesterday, 'so what's the biggest way this changed your life?' (she also has been to israel) i just shook my head and said, 'i don't know yet.' i think that the experience there, although only 10 days, will be a long time coming to fully see how it is changing and will change my life.

so why israel?

because it brings me closer in knowledge of and to the heart of God.