Seize the Day!

As the recent Spring Holy Days saw us in Israel, we once again got the chance to soak up the scenery and the history of the Promised Land.  As we spent a significant amount of our time in the northern part of the country, that is, in the region of Galilee and the area around the Sea of Galilee, I was particularly inspired.  The land is not lacking anything in natural beauty, and Amber and I decided (this being the area where God, having become man, decided to live, work, and base His earthly ministry) that God, indeed, has great taste.  I say this somewhat jokingly, but walking around the village of Arbel, just outside Tiberias, where we stayed in a little bed and breakfast, I really felt that it was the most beautiful place I have ever been.  The rolling mountains, covered in fields of wheat, terraced vineyards, and citrus groves, overlooking the waters of the small inland sea captivated me, and the gentle breeze, bringing the soft bleating of sheep in the distance along with the sweet smell of orange blossoms stole my heart. 

Courtyard at our B&B	View of bluffs near our B&B

Aside from the spectacular scenery, just being in the area where Jesus walked, called disciples, and performed miracles made the biblical stories really come to life.  I found myself wanting to go through the gospels and find all the accounts that took place in the area, just so I could picture them in my mind.  So often it seems that Bible stories can take on an almost mythic perspective, and this really helped to make them more concrete. 

Vicinity of the Sermon on the Mount

The whole experience of being here in Jordan, and getting to take advantage of one opportunity after another, has been truly amazing.  I have to tell myself often not to take things for granted, to get as much out of it as possible, while it lasts.  Just as I may never get another chance to visit some places again, perhaps I will never get as good an opportunity to learn certain lessons or develop certain skills…and the same goes for all such opportunities in life.

We in God’s Church are blessed with a special vision of the future: an amazing vision, full of hope and limitless potential.  Sometimes this vision of the future, just like the stories of the past, can seem almost mythical if we aren’t careful.  When we fail to appreciate the future God has planned for us, we also fail to appreciate the opportunities He gives us to prepare for it.  If we fail to take advantage of the opportunities He gives us to learn and grow, how will we develop the traits and skills we need to serve Him?  Indeed, how can He use traits and skills we never developed?  The Bible is full of admonitions to learn, to grow, to overcome – to make use of our time wisely.  As we move forward, I pray that we can all set our eyes on the goal, and that we can see every opportunity between now and then for the blessing it is.  Carpe diem!  Seize the day!

Galilee: Breadbasket of Israel

~ Darren