Day 06 - West Central Turkey: Sardis, Pergamum

As I reflect on the day behind and waning days ahead, I cannot help but fixate on the word "perspective". So many things about the days leading up to today have been filled with the terms blessing, awe-inspiring, peaceful, thankful, etc. Yet the culmination of biblical scripture being read in the places in which it was directed, coupled with the weight of theological accountability, mixed with the knowledge of how similar our lives and behavior today reflect those of our counterparts from millennia ago, suggests nothing shy of the simplistic thought of perspective.

We started our day sharing from Revelation 3:7-13, in which we see a shining example of the people of Philadelphia holding strong in the belief and adherence to the commands of our Lord. They were examples of followers who would become pillars in the House of the Lord and lend themselves as worthy supporting parts of the whole in our eternal home with Christ Jesus.

We experienced the wavering dedication of the people of Sardis in Revelation 3:1-6 whom Jesus has hope for repentance and growth while reminding them to hold fast to God and his promises. The power of hearing these words in the city for which it was written created a real-life narrative that guided me through the walls of this ancient land and brought reflection upon my own life, choices, and expectations to maintain my relationship with Christ while leading by example and being unwavering in the company of the distractions of this world.

We concluded our tour in Pergamum. We received our teaching on Revelation 2:12-17 outside of the Temple of Trajan. In all, there are nine temples throughout Pergamum (known at this time) that reflect the spiraling nature of this wicked land in which all manner of idol worship occurred. For me, I have not felt so far from God on this trip as I did in that space. The land, the buildings, the remnants, and its layout all evoked a since of emptiness and despair. A people longing for generations to be connected to something great and looking everywhere but to Him who can fulfill it.

I am grateful for this opportunity. For this time of growth. For this connection. For this…perspective.