Turning toward Jerusalem

We began our day, as we have for the last five mornings, on the

shore of the Sea of Galilee listening to the sounds of the waves. It’s
been a beautiful and powerful picture of where Jesus spent over 70% of
His ministry. And now, as Jesus did, we turn toward Jerusalem.
Scott began our first hike on Mount Carmel, inviting us to think
about our trip and faith. Is it history, interesting information to
learn, or is it memory? Jesus walked the Earth, inviting us to live
into this amazing story, as ones who have been called by God to a deep
relationship with Him. I have learned so much about how each and every
thing He did and taught points to The Father and the story of our
faith from the time of Creation.

As I began the climb up I found myself easily fatigued and
discouraged. Beau Galloway, offered to carry my backpack and though it
was humbling, I relented and allowed him to carry it. I was
overwhelmed thinking of how Christ carried the weight of my sin on His
shoulders as He headed toward Jerusalem. Sweet Beau will forever be a
reminder to me of this, carrying my pack up the steep climb to the
very top of Mount Carmel.

Scott taught us about Elijah from 1 Kings 18, and challenged us
all to live with the fire Elijah had as he called out to God! I cannot
imagine any of us will be the same.

As we moved toward Jerusalem, our next stop was in Caesarea, on the
Mediterranean Sea. Incredible blue water with crashing waves, was a
welcome scenery change from another mountain to climb. We saw the
ruins of ancient civilization once again, with a huge Roman arena
behind Herod’s impressive palace. We even gathered some pieces of the
palace walls that have washed up on the shore, reminding us how even
what seem to be the most powerful and beautiful kingdoms will fall,
but the Kingdom of God is everlasting!

We reflected on the great cloud of witnesses who have gone before
us, and even physically took action to “run the race marked out for
us” Hebrews 12:1-3. I was inspired to leave everything that is
hindering me behind, as I chase after Jesus.

We ended the day arriving in Jerusalem, and spent a short time
looking out over the beautiful city, so alive, full of even more
lessons we’ll learn as our journey here in Israel comes to a close.

Shalom,
Amy Freund