Day 73 Mental Travel

 

3/14/2026

"Earth's crammed with heaven,

and every common bush aflame with God;

but only those who see take off their shoes;

the rest sit round it and pluck blackberries."

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

 

One of my favorite things to do on a Sabbath afternoon is to listen to music. I find a nice instrumental worship video by Tim Janis who has the most beautiful worship songs and hymns, with breathtaking landscapes and wild life at play in the forests or on mountain ranges. There's nothing more peaceful than mental traveling across seascapes and open plains, herds of wild mustangs, forest animals at play, and meadows carpeted by wildflowers. The scenery is spectacular, and the hymns always seem to pick me up and refocus my day. Sometimes, when I close my eyes, I envision myself sitting on the hillside drinking in the tranquil beauty, smelling the crisp cool air and the scent of wildflowers, or feeling the spray from crashing waves on the seashore as a storm is approaching. I am alive!

My imagination gets the best of me when the destination becomes Africa, and I find myself on safari and visiting the indigenous tribes. It's always a disappointment when I open my eyes to find I am alone, here, merely dreaming, but I count it all joy to have a rich imagination and a curious, childlike mind that appreciates the adventure while it lasts. I can mimic it again and again when I watch certain movies in places I long to see. Africa is a place I have longed to visit and perhaps one day live and serve. It was Africa the Lord focused my attention when I was very young. Perhaps one day the Lord will send me that way. For now, I'll dream, and I can pray for my friends and support their ministries of love. They have so little, but they give so generously. Just as it should be, we give, because He gave...everything! 

Israel has been another focus, as I cannot separate my love for Jesus from God's chosen people and the nation of Israel. Although again only a mental traveler, when He says "Go," I will. How amazing to walk the roads Jesus traveled and visit His home town of Nazareth, visiting Pastor Saleem and his wife, Nisreen, who have a ministry to the Arabs living there. They themselves are Arabs, and they support the soldiers and the local community, especially now in time of war. Even when under fire, they serve in the fields. When their kitchen was destroyed, they still made meals for everyone. They supply much-needed supplies for the home and the food pantry. They are a wonderful couple, who share the love of Christ in reaching out to meet the needs, always ready to serve. 

Or visit the Messianic Jewish congregations in Haifa and Mount Carmel where I feel a part of the family. Naturally, I'd want to visit the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem and the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, both places I love with more "family" members. I cannot think of a city or country I would not love to visit, or people I would want to meet, encourage, and share God's love with as many as I can. Rolling up my sleeves and working along side them in the fields, feeding the hungry, ministering to the sick. The greatest gift God ever gave me besides salvation was the gift of His love for hurting people, and I am able to share that love with anyone I meet. It doesn't require much to love someone, maybe not what they do or say, but to really ask God to give you His love for another person. I sincerely do not want to see anyone go to hell, or be eternally separated from God. What a terrible waste of a life. Missing out on the most important life of all.

Today was such a lovely day, meditating on the love of God, spending the day resting and more importantly listening to the word of the Lord, in fellowship with the family of God at Jacob's Tent. The message today was about the building of the tabernacle, and the importance of each person's part in the actual building and artistry, but also the people's part in providing what they needed to go into the actual building of each part of the tabernacle. Each person giving from their heart, and their love of God, desiring a place where His Presence would dwell. But more than the actual building what was most important is that the people would come to realize God's Sovereignty, His authority, that all would know that He was the LORD their God, and He desired to fellowship or "tabernacle" - make His home - with them. It's the same today. He has chosen us, and He wants us to choose Him. 

I don't know about you, but I'm all in for that! Abiding in the shelter of the Most High! Now that's worth living for!