Day 8 – Sunday March 7 Galilee of the Gentiles
CINDY
(picture by James Ward)Today we went to:
Sepphoris, Mt. of Beatitudes, Capernaum, Tabgha, Church of Peter’s Primacy, Bethsaida, Chorazin (time permitting), boat ride. Overnight at Ein Gev Holiday Village
Today marks the half way point through our trip. Let’s just say that many of us (including me) are hitting quite a wall. Getting up at 6:30am or 7am and being on the go until 8pm (11hrs!) and packing and unpacking every night is EXHAUSTING! We have been on the move. I told one of the ladies that this trip is physical, mental, and spiritual workout. Today we walked on the to of the Mt. of Beautitudes and you are just struck with just the reality of Jesus being there with thousands from around the Decapolis listening intently to him. I wish we had more time at the sites to process. We move from site to site and town to town and up and down the bus and are usually so tired by the time we get to the hotel at night that there is very little time to process. It would be awesome if at certain sites we would have an extra 15-30 mins to journal, medidate, or just spend some time with Jesus and hearing what he wants to say to us there… There is just sooo much to take in that even when I feel Jesus is saying something I feel I got to tuck it in my pocket for later to move on and be able to hear the next words of wisdom from Hal. I think the processing times will also prevent us from “hitting a wall” as we have a moment to actually STOP during this Go, Go, Go time.
One of my favorites moments of the trip was today. We got to take a boat ride out on the Sea of Galilee. It was beautiful. I could see the surrounding hills and mountains all around.. even through some of the haze.. the mountains looked blurry.. it almost felt like a hallucination or dream, you know? .. am I really seeing those mountains in the distance? That haze can do that to you! Lol. Apart from the lil’ haze up the mountains it was beautiful. It was just becoming dusk. The sun was turning and emiting orange, red, and pink over the mountains and right on the reflection of the tranquil Sea of Galilee. The sea was so peace and so calm. I wanted to be there and never leave. That’s where Jesus walked on water and told Peter he could do the same.. should I even try? Ha!
It was the perfect spot for a devotional. Every day at least one of us leads a devotional at a site. This time it was Dr. Panell’s turn. He spoke on John 21 It’s after Jesus’ resurrection and he asks Peter 3xs “Do you love me?” He commented on Henri Nouwen’s book. There are three things Jesus is saying in his last conversation with Peter: 1. To tend his lambs 2. To serve others 3. Follow him. Jesus does not want to be a task master but asks us to follow him. He is a matter of persuasion than coercion. There is no force. What does following him mean? What does that look like? Right there sitting on the boat, whilst the sun was setting over the mountainous range and the Israelite flag was waving in the cool breeze my eyes began to tear. Jesus began to ask to me questions of where I would follow him and as he would mention places and circumstances my heart responded “Jesus, I will follow you anywhere.” .. as I said this, memories came flooding when I had said this other times in my life: when I became a Christian, left to Africa, worked on Wall Street, left everything to go see what awaited me in Canada, and even coming to Regent.. my heart can only respond “Lord, I will follow.” I can not think of any other answer. .. and though it may seem like a simple statement, it has been my life’s motto. “Lord, I will follow.” .. that’s all I can do. Go where He leads. I’m not here to lead my own life. Been there and done that. I just want to be where He is… see what He sees.. feel what He feels, partake in what He’s doing.. I can’t do anything else. These last 7 years have just been that: “following” .. most of the time I have no idea what I’m doing but one thing I can do is follow.. and so I follow.. and to follow one who knows, who loves, who teaches, and who desires nothing but good for every human being is the best leader I could ever follow. So right there on the Sea of Galilee watching the Israelite hang over the back of the boat, I chose again to follow. To follow Him. Where ever he wants me to go and wherever he wants me to be (tears)
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