I was a little scared to go because of all the bad things that have happened there. So much violence. The warring factions between Christians, Jews and Muslims. I just feel like because Jerusalem is right there it's a place where lots of battles happen in the spiritual realm as well as the physical realm.
But while we were there, nothing happened. We saw the Golan Heights and the trenches on the top of the mountain. We saw the barbed wire and the mine fields on the border between Israel and Jordan. We saw Israeli soldiers walking around, armed and ready at all times. They didn't seem to be at peace.
But what I found so fascinating when we were in Israel was how the newspapers and shows had tanks firing guns in their stories about Israel and talked about all the bad things happening there. We didn't see any of that! We saw a very calm place. Peaceful. With people conducting their lives without any issues. Ready. But completely at peace.
As a christian I try to live my life as if I am in a different kingdom. I feel like in this place on the earth we are in a kingdom that belongs to someone other than God
And while God created this kingdom, it was taken away by sin. But I live in peace because I trust Jesus to have taken care of my sin-debt. And I believe in God and look to him for guidance in my life. And enjoy the peace that my faith brings.
I hope you do, too.
Bonus material:
Bible Project video - Shalom “Peace”
https://youtu.be/oLYORLZOaZE?si=QBswOh3vu2SssUNi
Some peaceful Christmas piano music
https://youtu.be/wH-pdh7k9xk?si=pdxstTEDzz_PtEv6
