HOLY LANDS
Today's reading: 1 John 4-5

Well, I don't think I've ever been as disgusted as I was last night.

I'd made arrangements to be in front of the television, very rare for me, to watch a special on PBS--a tour of the Holy Lands. I was so looking forward to it! The sights, the sounds, the historical accounts, even the food.

The channel came in clear enough. The narrator was also the tour guide, had a British accent and was very easy to listen to. The video and pictures were breathtaking. But?

But they glossed over the Garden of Gethsemane, a brief shot of the Sea of Galilee, a momentary mention of the Valley of Dry Bones and the direct path between it and the Golden Gate where Christ will return.

Ugggh!

How in the world could someone stand in the place where Jesus stood, worked and breathed--and not be wrought with emotion? How could the narrator have not reached out and touched one of the olive trees in the Garden, knowing Jesus Christ might have touched the same? How could they not spend a few minutes sitting by the edge of the Sea, watching the waves--amazed that they are still under the control of this Man from Nazareth? Did the television crew rub elbows with descendants of the Woman With The Issue Of Blood--would it have mattered to them?

And then, I thought of myself--and was even more disgusted...

I walk in the paths Christ has walked upon each and every day. Paths He has prepared for me. Roads He has ordained and purposed for me to tread. And I mumble, grumble and take His part in my day for granted.

I place my hands on things, every day, that He has handed to me. My family, my home, my vehicle, my desk. Things He has given me directly. Things I could see His fingerprints upon--if I chose to look.

I come in contact with people whose lives Jesus of Nazareth has changed. People who have been brought back from the dead. People whose 'issues' have been healed. Brothers and sisters in Christ who have come in contact with God's Son--and walked away different!

And I pass right by. I barely acknowledge. I overlook. I act just like that production crew and narrator, presenting facts but not reaching the real Jesus.

Today I'm going to look deeper. Today I'm going on more than a sight-seeing mission, I'm focusing on Christ's love at work around me--in the Holy Lands where I live!

"This is real love..." 1 John 4:10 NLT