By Seta Green, VCN Member

In the summer of 2023, I had the privilege to visit the Holy Land (Israel and Palestine) and walk through the paths Jesus and His disciples would have walked. This was a dream (details for the "why" in another blog) that came true thanks to loving and giving friends and my sweet husband's commitment to making this trip happen (yes, it had been postponed several times). 

We did go to the Holy Land and came back safely. A surreal experience. A crash course on the who, what, where, and when of Jesus. A memorable time. Did I feel Jesus? Did I have a spiritual awakening? Did I bow down and worship? No, I didn't. It didn't happen. If you know me you would know how highly sensitive person I am. I would cry for the slightest reason. Not a tear fell down my cheeks. So what happened? My trip to "be where Jesus was" turned into a mirage. If you know me, you also know that I prefer to avoid sticking to one subject for a long time. Hence, a new paragraph, a new topic, or is it?

I often hear people saying statements like, "Time is passing so fast", and "Where did the time go?" I was at Target on December 2nd when an employee told me to hurry up and buy any Christmas decorations since she was changing that stand to a New Year's Eve stand. WAIT, it is still December 2nd. “Why are you rushing,” I wanted to ask her. Going home, I felt like a child whose doll was ripped away from her. "I don't want to miss Christmas, the coming of Christ, the Son," I was thinking. Thus came the resolution to start an advent reading and commit to it.

On December 4, I was reading Luke chapter four where Jesus was tested in the wilderness. "The devil led Him up in a high place and showed Him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world" (Luke 4:5). The seconds froze and I was taken back to that mountain (what we think was the most probable place), the one I saw in person on my trip to the Holy Land. I recalled seeing a local with his son trying to make a profit from us, the tourists, who were mesmerized by that place. I recall speaking with the little boy who was selling handmade bracelets. Jesus had been right there. Jesus may have seen passersby who may have offered Him food or drink. Jesus had been there and He, God the Son, wanted to be emptied from earthly desires to show the devil what happens to the person who trusts the Lord. Temptations come and go. If you trust in the Lord you say "No, No, No" to the devil's temptations.

It dawned on me that maybe it wasn't going to the Holy Land that was going to bring change in me, but bringing the Holy Land with me as I go. Reading the Bible with the streets, neighborhoods, or towns I have seen in the background of my mind. This season is slowing me down. So slow that I can stop to take in all that Jesus has done for me and you. Take in all that was in mind when the angel appeared to Mary. Take in all the grace and mercy shown on the cross.

Time, slow down so I can enjoy a colorful, meaningful, and life-changing Bible.