Our trip to Israel started with a long trip via plane and bus to arrive at our destination in Tiberias. If you are unaware, as I was before this trip, Tiberias is on the Sea of Galilee. I’ll be writing more about the Sea of Galilee in later posts. While on our way to Tiberias, though, we stopped at the church that has preserved the cave believed to be where Elijah taught Elisha. I was a little shocked at what I saw. The church is built over the cave. It appeared to me that they were worshiping the very cave they so carefully preserved. After hearing multiple stories of the conquests of Israel and how the victors would utterly destroy everything, I started to understand why churches were built over these spots. Churches were not always destroyed in these conquests.

You have to understand before I go any further that I’m a history buff. I love to go to see anything Abraham Lincoln, especially. I’ve seen his best friend’s dilapidated house when I expected to see Lincoln’s house and I’ve seen many “replicas” of his houses in various states. It was a little disappointing that it wasn’t the real thing, but it was still nice to see what it would have looked like in that time frame of society. This make his stories and life back then come alive in a different way than just words in a book can accomplish. I understand him a little better after seeing these objects.

This was my dilemma while in Israel. Most of what they had back in biblical times had long been destroyed. In their attempt to persevere history, they have rebuilt replicas and built churches in the places they thought certain events happened. How was I to enjoy the fact of preserving history with the idea that churches were built around these caves, and it appeared they were worshiping the very objects they meant to save? I was torn.

Then, I discovered what was really bothering me. Was I trying to hold on to things in my life, in an attempt to preserve history, and in effect worshiping those very things? Something so simple, and right, at the time, to preserve and hold on to, can become a stumbling block for us if we are not careful.

What great thing has God done in your life? I hope and pray you have accepted Him as your Lord and Savior. After your salvation, though, what answer to pray do you have? Did He provide you with a replacement for a specific ministry when you were burnt out or were called to another ministry like Elisha for Elijah? What disease were you or someone you know healed from after many prayers? When did He clearly provide an out for you when you could find no other way? Are you still holding on to these objects and monumental times in your life?

God asked the Israelites to build altars as a reminder to them and their children so they would not forget. The people of these churches did a good thing when they protected what was historically and spiritually important. We, too, must have markers in our lives to remind us of God’s faithfulness when we need reminders. We can’t get hung up on what God has done for us and forget to look to God for what He’s currently doing. As our tour guide continually told us: God does not live in the rocks and buildings.

So, what did I learn from going to Israel? God is all around me; whether in Israel, in the United States, in South America, anywhere! I felt Him, I experienced Him, and I was overwhelmed. I understand Him more because I saw things and places He saw while on this earth. I also learned there is a lot about God I still don’t understand. I desire to know Him even more. I want to fall in love with Him even more. I desire His very presence in my life and feel completely and utterly lost without Him.

I invite you to join me on this journey of walking through the Holy Land as I write about our trip in the upcoming weeks.

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