There are two responses we get telling people we’re going to Israel for three months.
The first one is, “So what will do you there?”
The second is, “Oh, I’ve been to the Holy Land. You have to go see/hear/eat…” followed by a travel guide’s worth of suggested locations that would overwhelm even Joshua’s itinerary planner detailing the conquest of Canaan.
And I am grateful for every single one of the people who care enough to ask or who are enthusiastic enough to recommend—that says good things about how Israel affects visitors.
But it can be a bit confusing.
Then I got the best piece of travel advice. I’d just finished performing at a senior community when an ancient, retired Catholic priest pushed his walker up beside me.
“You’re going to the Holy Land?” he asked, his face a map of smile wrinkles. “When you’re there, you’ll find that every ‘Holy site’ has two or three claimants—This event happened here or it happened there and no one can agree. Don’t go to see the sites but the sights. Go look at the land, the views, the landscapes, the nature and the people. The hills and valleys and seas are the same as in Bible times. And the people are still God’s people. It’ll will change you.”
My grin spread to match his because that has been my heart’s hunger from the beginning. I want to see the Land. Because I write about scripture, I have always wanted to ground my retellings in the actual ground where the events took place. I want to see the sights, taste the salt, touch the sand.
So this is what I will be doing in Israel:
Look up from the Negev dessert at the night sky and see Abraham’s endless stars.
Swim in the glinting Mediterranean waves off Jaffa that enticed Jonah to try and out-sail God.
Wander (with the help of Waze) through the Judean Hills where David played hide and seek with a sword wielding King Saul.
Eat Amos’ figs, drink the dews from Mt. Hermon and taste the land of milk and honey.
Go UP to Jerusalem.
And Mom wants to paint all of the above!
These are some of the places I am excited to see. I know that there will be so many inbetween places I will discover on the road that three months will not be nearly enough.
The other great advice I heard was from a local Rabbi who sized me up quickly and responded to my questions about Israel with a simple instruction:
“Oh, just go talk to people—you’re talkative enough, you’ll be fine!”
Anna and Cathy, that is wise advice! I believe that is what Wynn and I have treasured the most from our years in the “Holy Land” …. experiencing the environment… sights, sounds, smells, vistas ….
One of my reactions to the land was, “Why Lord, this land? I have seen many, many more gorgeous and desirable places on your earth?”
The land is rocky, dry, hot …. (even Abraham found there was ‘famine in the land’ when he arrived), but come spring, and the snow has watered the earth and the rains come, the land becomes green, fragrant, and wildflowers abound. I realized how dependent the people were for those rains … dependent on God to send them …. He wanted them to need to trust Him.
ENJOY!
Thank you Tara! That is a profound insight—-a land that keeps you looking up instead of just looking around. I am so glad you shared and look forward to sharing our adventures. We will enjoy!