A Journey Through Darkness - Isaiah

It was in the summer of 2000 and the tunnel that I was walking through was so black I couldn’t tell if my eyes were open or closed…

Earlier that day we decided to join up with a small group from our tour group. This was our free day to explore some of the ancient sites around Jerusalem on our own. Although we wore our sturdy walking shoes, we were not told that we also needed to bring a flashlight for the final stop of our day. The last stop for day was an ancient water passage, Hezekiah’s Tunnel. It was mentioned in our readings of Isaiah in chapters 7 and 8, and also mentioned in II Kings 20 and in II Chronicles 32.

In Isaiah this tunnel is referred to as Shiloah. It is a little aqueduct that carries water from the Spring of Gihon to a pool inside the city wall of Jerusalem filling the Pool of Siloam. The tunnel was built as a means of providing a safe supply of drinking water inside the city walls. According to an inscription in ancient Hebrew script found in the tunnel, in 700 B.C. two teams, began at opposite ends dug toward each other in the bedrock, and met.

This very aqueduct that we were about to walk (sometimes in water up to our thighs) was the one King Ahaz was probably examining as Isaiah challenged the lack of faith of Israel in 700 BC, almost 3000 years before in the Book of Isaiah!

That dark walk was about a third of a mile through the bedrock. I am told that IF you have a flashlight you can still see the tool marks on the walls. However we had none. Our friends had gone on ahead and the gatekeepers that let us into the tunnel to walk had locked us in and disappeared. We had only one choice, forward. My sister had injured her knee, tearing her ACL just before we left for Israel. Determined to go with us, she had to doctor fit her with a knee brace to steady her knee and had been in quite a lot of pain throughout the trip. We had no choice but to begin the walk, so she placed one hand on my shoulder and one against the wall to steady herself and together we began our journey down the passage. All we could “see” as we crept forward was what we could feel through our fingers as we felt our way along the walls, the tilt of the ground underneath our feet as we carefully chose our steps and our hair as it brushed against the ceiling in places…..it was truly a faith walk.

As we began the descent we didn't know the length of the tunnel or what we would find. We also had to fight an increasing sense of panic in the darkness. To combat that feeling we began to sing, mostly hymns, as we carefully made our way through the tunnel. Often would have to give directions to my sister to help her navigate each step, "okay there's a small ledge and you'll step down." We sang and encouraged each other every step of the journey which seemed to us to last for hours until finally we began to see the faith glow of sunlight ahead. As we emerged from the darkness I can still recall the picture of children playing in the water, laughing and splashing each other and the relief we felt as we walked into the sunlight.

Isn't that just like our journey of life? There are many times we may find ourselves moving into places that are unknown and often we feel ill-equipped for the journey. Yet when we trust in God he can lead and coach us through those dark and anxious times to a place of light and wonder.

The gentle stream of Shiloh was to Isaiah a symbol of quiet and confident faith in Yahweh, whose kingdom is more powerful and everlasting than the mightiest empires. (Isaiah 8:6)

...So What? (A Look at 1 Chronicles)

When I first began reading 1 Chronicles my first reaction was the same as a friend of mine commented, “So what? Why is it important to know who 'begat' whom?" Another told me, “The first few chapters are good if you have insomnia, you’ll be asleep in no time!” And I admit, when I began the reading, I was...well…bored.

It reminded me of the time I went with my family to the Highland Games at Stone Mountain. My maiden name is Forester, so we set off to find the Clan Forester. We found several different booths that “claimed” our family name, but we continued searching until we found our family…and so I began reading through my family genealogy of our own book of “begats,” and there I found my grandfather’s name and my father’s name. It gave me a sense of belonging to see the connectedness of the generations among my family.

Why is it important to know the family lineage? Maybe it’s because it provides us a center or roots in this world - an identity beyond ourselves. In Israel, it was important to validate the lineage of each family as each one had a significant role in the life of the community and worship. And yet, as we find out more about the history in each family we also find those stories about family heroes or characters.

In the movie “Hitch,” Will Smith is on a first date with a girl he wants to impress. He does a little research before the date and finds that her family came to the United States through Ellis Island and finds the signature of her great-great-grandfather on the logs as they signed in. Little did he know that this person was a criminal from Puerto Rico and caused the family great shame so they never speak of him. Needless to say, he didn’t get the reaction he expected from his date.

The same is true in Chronicles, as we moved beyond the “begats” we found stories about Saul and David and Solomon; stories of great faith and great personal disaster. We all have these family stories if we look into our history – some of great triumph, some of quiet lives, and those we’d rather not mention outside the family. Although they may be part of the story of our family, they do not define who we are…that is determined within our own lifetime. How are you living into the story of your life?

Just in time....

There's nothing like going to a new place to help you gain some perspective.

I just got back from Honduras, one of the poorest countries in our hemisphere by economic standards, and yet lived among some the richest adults and children by spiritual standards. It’s was the first time in years I’ve experienced pure joy and unconditional acceptance.

It's easy to get jaded about life and priorities when you can pretty much meet all your own needs without having to really "trust in God" to provide. Yes we have needs, but far too often we get our wants and our needs confused; the noise and distraction in our lives prevent us from hearing and seeing God at work in our midst.

I was tired and overwhelmed by the demands of a new position, a new city, and a new home. The pace to meet the needs was becoming frantic and felt like I was losing myself. I was becoming more of a "thing" than a person. I rarely stopped to breathe, much less enjoy the moments; I just hopped from one treadmill to the next, changing stride as needed. (A funny statement for one sorely in need of exercise!)

But in Honduras, it was about connecting again with what was important: joy, relationships, love, and celebrating God’s “just in time” moments. I’m striving to stay in touch with those things that are most important: my faith, my family and my friends. I want to be open to witness the miracles in my life......to have some of those “just in time” moments of my own.

....In Between....

This week finds us perching on the edge of a moment in time...the year is not quite over and the new one has not yet begun. As we sit in the "in between" space we view what has been and the hopes and dreams for the days ahead.

I've seen plans and hopes come true for some and crushed in a moment for others... it reminds me of the frailty of life and also hope as I see the promise of a new family, a coming grandchild and new chapters of my life unfolding. Where will this year take me? What promises lay ahead yet to be found? How will God take the moments given and shape me into the person I am called to be? How can I trust God in the days ahead, and yet, how can I not trust the very one who knows me? The one reminds me that I am fearfully and wonderfully made? And, as I turn to Scripture I am reminded:

For everything there is a season,

and a time for every activity under heaven.

A time to be born and a time to die.

A time to plant and a time to harvest.

A time to kill and a time to heal.

A time to tear down and a time to build up.

A time to cry and a time to laugh.

A time to grieve and a time to dance.

A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.

A time to embrace and a time to turn away.

A time to search and a time to quit searching.

A time to keep and a time to throw away.

A time to tear and a time to mend.

A time to be quiet and a time to speak.

A time to love and a time to hate.

At time for war and a time for peace.

God has made everything beautiful for its own time.

He has planted eternity in the human heart,

but even so, people cannot see the whole scope

of God from beginning to end.

(Ecclesiastes 3:1-8,11)

...waves...

Funny how people come in and out of our lives - almost like an ebbing tide washing memories upon the shores of our lives; each memory comes to us stranded like the shells washed up on the beach; large and small, broken or perfect.

Some gently ride the waves, skimming across the surface seemingly unchanged by the currents or the distance traveled; pristine...a treasure to be owned by some beachcomber. While others, the broken ones, are relentlessly tossed by the waves until the rough edges are worn smooth by the sand leaving a semblance of what was once whole. Passed over by the observer, but held tightly in our hands because we know their cost.

People we meet throughout our lives shape us just as the sand gently smoothes the rough edges of the broken shells; a bit at a time. Sometimes there is a violent fracture from which we think we cannot survive or recover....and yet we do. And, ever so slowly, time wears away the sharpness until the pain dulls. And there are other moments that are perfect in our memory, that shine and capture us with their brilliance. They are etched upon our soul.

I have traveled many roads and walked on many foreign soils. In each place I see the same hunger in the eyes of the people I meet - a need to be known in some way; to be cherished by another; to make some mark on this world; to leave behind some trace of “Yes, I was here.”

I struggle between the girl of my childhood and the woman of today. Each experience, each person I have known has shaped who I am.....and how have I affected those I have touched? Will anyone ever remember I was here?

"Night of Silence" by Daniel Kantor

....beautiful words of hope this Christmas eve.......enjoy.....

"Cold are the people, winter of life, we tremble in shadows this cold endless night. Frozen in the snow lie roses sleeping, flowers that echo the sunrise. Fire of hope is our only warmth, weary its flame will be dying soon.

Voice in the distance, call in the night, on wind you enfold us, you speak of the light. Gentle on the ear you whisper softly, rumors of a dawn so embracing. Breathless love awaits darkened souls, soon will we know of the morning.

Spirit among us, shine like the star. Your light that guides shepherds and kings from afar. Shimmer in the sky so empty, lonely, rising the warmth of your Son's love. Star unknowing of night and day, Spirit we wait for your loving Son."

....Teabox Readings.....

I was reading the side of the box while making a cup of tea today and liked both of these so I just decided to share them...

"Once cold morning, I left my village to search for what was missing from my life. I battled many dragons, slaying them with my optimism. Behind me, the mountains of Shanghai bolstered my resolve, protecting my back from harsh winds, regardless of how far I strayed. The dizzy scent of orange blossoms and stars glowing like lanterns, led me home. Reaching my doorstep at last, I discovered I had within me all along all that I was looking for: love - more than enough for others, and plenty for myself. Truly, all that I sought was also seeking me. - Naomi Horii"

"There are two ways of spreading light; to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it. - Edith Wharton"