even the spaRRow knows

tH e H OLy Land I t I nerary CO vered visiting the historical locations of the Bible and providing diverse perspectives on the current situation in Israel and Palestine. When I reflected on what I’d be most excited to see and learn, I felt the Holy Spirit guide me to seek to study the people – those from the Hebrew Bible (aka the Old testament); those when Jesus walked there; and those who call this place home today, the “Living Stones.” to begin to understand, one must learn about the history of the land.

My journey of discovery began in the early afternoon of our second day when our group was welcomed by our Spirit-filled guide, andre Moubarak. We boarded our bus and traveled from tel aviv to the negev desert and a hotel on the shores of the dead Sea. as the sun began to set, we delighted in the experience of floating in the salty water. We woke up early to a beautiful sunrise over the mountains of Jordan to begin our pilgrimage. andre’s theme for the day was “the desert: a Place of Preparation.” I wondered, “What will the desert teach and how will it prepare us?” nearby, we visited the desert home of Bedouin people, descendent from abraham, who provided us the experience of riding on a camel and sharing a traditional meal. Upon the back of my surefooted camel, Sharon, I was able to take in my sparse surroundings while our Bedouin guide told us of the adaptations of camels, travel routes, and how the desert acacia tree’s wood was used to make the ancient tabernacle as well as shepherds’ staffs. Suddenly, I was surprised by small birds that flew in front of me, out of nowhere, and heard myself asking my neighbors, “did you see that?” but they were caught up in conversation. a flood of emotion overtook me as I thought of how God takes care of the sparrows in the desert and how much more he’ll care for me. What was the desert teaching me? andre taught us that the desert has been and is a place of transformation. the desert gives us lessons for maturity, and in the silence of the desert one can hear that simplicity is key, as is reliance on God and community. We are not meant to function alone. after the desert follows an appreciation of the freedom that comes from trusting in God. as we receive this revelation, we are called by God to share this with others. even in the desert and darkest parts of life, there is joy because God is with us.

Our first stop was Masada (Hebrew for “Fortress”), a hill 1400 feet above sea level, that bore the archeologic remains of Herod the Great’s fortress built in the 1st century. as the last stronghold of the Jewish zealots, it fell to the romans in the Great revolt (66-73ad). Over the centuries, occupants of Masada put their faith in this impressive stronghold and believed that they were secure there. yet, their security was temporary. today, as in ancient times, we are called to put our faith and trust in God who is our fortress. andre urged us to contemplate what besides God is a “fortress” in our lives?

Up next… an oasis in the desert? yes. david sinned, repented, and fled into the desert from King Saul. david trusted God and was led to a safe place, ein Gedi, a desert oasis with freshwater, beautiful vegetation, and wildlife. It was a refuge where david hid from Saul in the caves and wrote many of the Psalms. With a view of Masada, he wrote Psalm 18:2 “the Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer.” Hiking through ein Gedi, the past came alive, and it was clear how this place gave the Israelites of the past and us a glimpse into how God provides in the midst of suffering. When we mature in our faith and personal relationship with God, like david, we can see that suffering also shows us our blessings.

In learning about the desert and its relationship with God’s people of the past and present, I learned more about myself and my relationship with God. “even the sparrow knows, he holds tomorrow.*” I pray that I, and my fellow pilgrims, will always remember what we experienced together and individually in the Holy Land, and that we keep seeking for what else it has prepared us. ✝