I Didn't Have a Spiritual Experience at the Holy Sites--WHAT?!

Hi my lovely readers! I am back in the States and still waking up at 4 in the morning looking for food. It was a heck of a journey back from the Holy Land, but now that I am back (with a little bit of sleep) I can finally reflect on my time there.

The title of this post might come as a surprise to you. It sure came as a surprise to me. The trip to Israel in itself was definitely God-ordained and because of this fact, I assumed that He wanted to speak to me in this major way at the holy sites. This was only partly true.

I packed my Bible with fervor and promised to bring back anointing oil for all the spiritual warriors in my family. My modest dresses and veils were picked out with extreme detail and precision. I was very ready to experience God, I thought.

Flash forward 12 hours of travel later, I was drained, but anxious for my spiritual encounter. After a day of rest, we took the city of Jerusalem in full force. Walking up the Temple Mount, I was immediately struck by the immense color and the political tension. My modest dress blew in the wind too much so I was forced to put on another, way less fashionable, baggy skirt on top. My mood was low.

Next stop, the Western Wall. After learning the rules of how to be respectful to the area and politely pushing through the crowd of women, my hand was able to touch the historic wall.

Nothing. Zilch.

I quickly wrote the names of my family on a scrap of paper and managed to stuff it over a praying woman’s head. Backing away slowly, I was envious of the crying women. What were they feeling that I wasn’t?

Lastly, we hit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Let me tell you, I had HIGH HOPES. I thought to myself, you hadn't felt anything at the last sights because those weren’t your holy sites, but this one is. After finally getting in the crowded building, I knelt down at the site were it is believed Jesus was laid when he was taken off the cross.

Again, hands on stone, prayer, nothing.

I left the Church very distressed. Was I not Christian enough? Discouraging thoughts cycled in and out of my head for the rest of the trip. Where did I go wrong?

Later in the trip, I had the opportunity to meet with women from Eritrea, who were seeking asylum in Israel. I watched as their children played in the next room and felt immense sadness that the only thing that separated me from them was chance. A day later in the south of Israel, I met with a former member of Knesset (Israeli legislature) who described in detail all the things he was doing to improve the lives of the Ethiopian Jewish children in Israel and children who escaped the Rwandan genocide. He had to be reminded to speak of his time in government and even then barely spoke about it. I was again brought to tears over his selflessness and genuine God-like love of people.

It wasn’t until I was on my plane home that I realized God had encountered me. He had encountered me like He always does— quietly, but intentionally. He encountered me in the refugee women detailing their horrific experiences and in the laughter of their children. He had encountered me in the member of Knesset, who dedicated his life to making the world better than the one he grew up in. GOD HAD ENCOUNTERED ME. More than anything, He spoke to me. He graciously revealed that His calling on my life will be service-oriented, helping people like I had met in Israel. He told me that the only thing that separated me from those laughing children was His blessings and that I was not allowed to take that for granted. He told me that just because I was not born into poverty did not mean I didn't have a responsibility to help those that did.

I think about the way He sent his Son (humbly and quietly) and everything makes sense. Folks, that’s my Father. He sees us. He sees everyone. He is quiet, but can move mountains. And He will—just to spend time with you!

Looking back, I learned SO MUCH in Israel—about myself, about God, and foreign policy. All of these things could manifest into further blog posts, but I wanted to start with this one. Look out for an encounter with God today. It could happen in the most nondescript way.