If you’re anything like me, you have high expectations for everything in your life and believe that things will always go as planned… until you’re on a train in Jerusalem and you suddenly smell sulfur gas that police used to put out a riot right down the road from you. Crazy, right? Experiencing Israel and being where miracles took place and being where Jesus walked, really brings scripture to life. For me, it did that in a few unexpected ways.
During my trip, I learned two major things about Israel and The Lord. I also learned that fries come with every meal (thanks Americans), and contrary to popular belief, the Dead Sea mud isn’t actually good for everyone’s skin (my arm still itches three weeks later). Here are my two big lessons:
1. Taking care of people is a priority.
Within the first few days of being in Israel, I noticed that hospitality is top priority. On the border of Syria and Israel, there are hospitals for people to use, regardless of where they live. While there are dramatic divisions in this area of the world, there are still people who are willing to put aside their differences because they want to take care of each other. I was inspired to do better about taking care of people in my own life. Often that simply looks like focusing on the person, rather than the problem. It means when I’m at work, my eyes are open for people in need. How can you look for people instead of problems in your life? Is it at work, with your family, with your friends?
2. Jesus already won.
Walking throughout Israel, you can feel the spiritual warfare. The battle between good and evil is evident, but The Lord reminded me over and over that He has already won the battle, He will continue to win the battles in my life, and I don’t have to live in fear because He cares about me, He cares about the small details in my life, and He has a plan. Exodus 14:14 “The Lord will fight for you; you only need to be still.”
Do you need to be reminded of that today? The battles that you are fighting, don’t have to be fought alone. I’m a believer in speaking truth over yourself, so I encourage you to speak that scripture over your battles, over your life, your family, and your future today. Jesus has already won, and He’ll continue to win, day after day after day.
-Hanna Sprinkle, Student Ministry Staff
