My choir sings a hymn called "Holy Ground" which is stuck in my head at the moment. As I pack and prepare and try to finish everything (including a mission trip for youth) in time to get on the plane, I'm thinking and singing in my head about holy ground.
The Holy Land is a beautiful, prayerful, sacred, unholy, brutal and amazing place. I was there with CRS in 2000 for 10 days, and it changed my life forever. I knew I would never be the same when I came back. What I realize now is that everywhere we travel holds the opportunity to invite us to never be the same when we return. There was something in walking on holy ground that is still with me....and not even so much the holy ground that Jesus Himself walked on, the temple wall that Jesus must have laid eyes on........it's the holy ground that Jesus-in-disguise walks on every day---here or there. I will see the holy sites again, I will kneel in prayer, I will remember.
I'm reminded of a conference I attended in 1976 where I heard Henri Nouwen speak---he was speaking of a conversation that he had with a student about recognizing the presence of Christ in each other. That recognition led to this comment from the student--"From now on, wherever you go, or wherever I go, all the ground between us will be holy ground."
Holy ground is all around us, and all of it between us is holy.
7 comments:
Having been there once before you know how very special this place is!! I will be praying for the three of you on this retreat and envy every step of your way!
Loretta
Thanks for the link to your blog. Will enjoy your travel there as I've not been. Be well.
I will be following your blog Miss Ann. I have been conflicted about visiting the Holy (or perhaps at this point "un-holy")Land since reading "The Lemon Tree". I hope to gain new vision through your eyes.
I will be following your blog, Miss Ann. I have been conflicted about visiting the Holy ( or might I say the "un-holy") Land since reading the Lemon Tree. I hope to gain new vision through your eyes. Travel well!
Thanks for the invitation to join you on your special journey through your blog. I consider it an honor! Of course, you will be in my prayers. May you travel safely and be blessed at every turn - by what you see and feel and who you meet. In gratitude, my friend. Take care and I'll see you before you leave!
Neat! I can't wait to read what you have to say about walking on Holy Ground. God bless!
I am anxious to be a part of your journey through your blog. You will be in my thoughts and prayers in a special way as you walk upon the holy land and experience the holiness of a perhaps less than holy environment.
You are loved,
Jackie
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