Galilee Reflections

It has been quite a while since I have posted, and I feel like I should apologize! Life in Israel has been more than hectic that last couple weeks.. (Trip to the Negev/Dead Sea and last week gone for 8 days to Galilee). So i think it is time to share some things I have been learning!

I was looking forward to the sunny beaches of the Sea of Galilee. Instead, we were met with rain the first 3 days! I couldn't believe it. But God taught me more through the rain than He could have ever taught me with sunshine. Isn't that usually the case in life? To take a line from Le' Miserables.. "the rain will make the flowers grow".

We stood on top of the Mount of Beautitudes, where Jesus taught the Sermon on the Mount. The boys had memorized the whole thing, and each stepped up to speak his part - surprising all the girls! As James quoted "the rain falls on the just and the unjust" the skies opened up. It poured.

I thought of the crowds as they sat listening to Jesus. They would give anything to listen to Him, to be with Him. They followed Him everywhere, regardless of whether there was food and shelter. Would I follow Him as well through the rain? Or did i care more about my wet clothes than the words of Jesus?

Later that day, we boarded a small boat to sail across the Sea of Galilee. It was drizzling as we boarded, but the rain was more of a mist. Once we got out onto the Sea, the storm hit us. Waves were crashing against the boat and the rain was pelting our faces. It was during this storm we read about Jesus calming the Sea and walking on water.

I wish i could convey the feeling of that moment. It was if He was speaking directly to my heart "Ellen, I have brought you to this land to show you more of myself. You expected my home to be easy and sunny, but when was my life ever easy? In life you will not be sitting on the beach, basking in the sun. Rather, you will be rocking on a boat with the wind and the rain. But do not fear, for I WILL BE WITH YOU."

"My peace I give to you, not as the world gives.. in this world you will have trouble, but be not afraid, I have overcome the world" (Jn 16:33)

The God who calmed the wind and the rain.. who said to the Sea "peace, be still" is saying the same thing to my heart. He brought me to Israel to show me that He alone is worthy of trust. He will never leave me or forsake me. Even when the wind batters me from every side and I am afraid that I will drown, He promises that even the waters cannot stop His love from keeping me.. for He has the power to calm the storm.

Why should I worry about the future He has in store? As we crossed the Sea we sang...  "whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say.. It is well, It is well with my soul"