It’s a beautiful morning in Tiberias. Beautiful is not even close to describing it really. I sat here for a long time trying to come up with the right word to describe what I’m seeing for you but found that there are no words for this. As I write this, I am sitting outside on my balcony. My view is the Sea of Galilee and of the sun slowly rising above it. It’s early. About 5:45am but I hear others like me out on their balconies. Some sitting quietly, some talking softly; I know that all of us are in awe of the beauty and peace of the view. I have no doubt that like me; they are pinching themselves in wonder and amazement.
“I’m actually looking out over the Sea of Galilee, watching the sunrise – the same view that Jesus would have seen! The same water He walked on! I can’t believe I am here!”
The last few days have been a whirlwind of emotions. The moment we got off the plane our senses have been at full attention with curiosity and wonder. We stretched our legs at the first stop which was Caesarea by the Sea, walking around what used to be a busy port city and where Paul was taken to Rome. The waves of the Mediterranean Sea slamming into the shore…the ruins of ancient times before us – Wow!
On our way to the hotel we also stopped at Megiddo and to Mt. Carmel. At Mt. Carmel we were taken to the top of a church and when we reached the top of the stairs and looked up…there standing before us was the Valley of Armageddon! The very place where the worlds army’s will gather! I heard gasps and verbal grunts of utter amazement. No picture or words would come close to describing this to you. Just know this: It is real! The Valley of Armageddon is not just a story. It’s here just as the Bible tells us! To consider for a moment at what will take place here is simply mind-boggling.
We ended the long day at the hotel, checked in and had dinner together. Most of us had no problem going right to sleep as you can imagine! Several people were so jazzed to be here they set out after dinner to explore Tiberias!
I bet when everyone’s head hit the pillow that night, they had a small smile on their face and thought… “I’m REALLY in the Holy Land!” I know I did – and then I giggled. :)
Kim, I love to read your posts! It's the next best thing to being there with you. I can just picture that beautiful sunrise over the Sea of Galilee! I'm praying for this tour group, that their experience in Israel will be life changing and that God will have a spiritual encounter with each one of them. I can't wait for your next post...and for "Jerusalem," the best part of the trip!!
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