A VIEW AND BOAT RIDE ON THE SEA

The 10 minute walk up this mountain was worth it because the view was out. of. this. world! No wonder Jesus came this way from Nazareth because the backdrop was beautiful!! Overgrown in wildflowers of many colors with a breathtaking view of the whole area around, Mt. Arbel set the scene perfectly. While there isn’t exact evidence that this was the very spot Jesus spoke the Sermon of the Mount or the Beatitudes, I hoped it was because the setting was magnificent.

Either way, we know He took this route and He spent time here. Scripture tell us in Luke 6, “Jesus went out to a mountain side to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him.” This was most likely the place for those alone times with God where He needed to reconnect with His purpose, to learn where He needed to go next, to meditate and be refreshed. While our time was short here, it felt heavenly to bask in the sun and breathe in the freshness of His Presence, as He did.

After that, we put out into the deep and spent some time on the Sea. The wind blowing from every side, sun beating down on us, the water misting us in the face just slightly, it was like everything else around me stopped. We spent some time just quietly meditating and praying. I sat with my legs dangling down off the front of the boat and felt a familiar whisper from the Lord, “Peace be still.”

Thinking about how I felt the day before, I looked down at the permanently tattooed Hebrew word on my left arm, “Shalom.” I struggle with peace. It is not an easy place for me to get to nor stay in. In that moment, I felt reminded of the words Jesus spoke to me 2 months before my trip, when I felt such uncertainty about this trip, worried about what old wounds would be opened up, how exposed I would feel, and anxiety had crept in.

He whispered to me, “Daughter, just as I stilled the wind and sea by simply stepping into the vessel of the disciples full of fear, I will still your fears. Yes, you are in treacherous waters, I know that. But I also know that I live within you. Whatever atmosphere you step into, you will also still the chaos of the sea. You will be used mightily and this trip is in My will for you. Just listen to My voice. Peace be still. Take courage.”

I have the power to set the tone of the atmosphere around me. I do. As a wildly passionate person, I know I can be controlled by emotions if I’m not careful. I know I can hide behind my emotions too. Expressiveness has been a blessing and a curse for me – a gift to be zealously joyful, overtly loving and kind, or cursed to be glaringly irritated, restlessly uneasy. I did not realize until much later in life that because of my strong spirit, vocal tone, volume, and facial expressions, I had such a substantial capability to influence the resonance around me. This meant I had to carefully think about which spirit I walk out in – either choosing one of victory in Christ, of fear, of shame, or of victim hood.

It has been prophesied over me that my feet are to be fitted and guarded with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. That it would not take eloquent words but rather simply stepping into the war with the radiance of Christ, joyous laughter piercing the tension, and Jesus guiding my every step to still the weapons of the enemy. Breathing in the fresh air of the sea, I felt all of the fear and worry melt away, as if I had shaken the dust off my feet from the pain of the Golan. I felt rejuvenated in purpose, repentant in attitude, and restored in faith. I knew God had placed me on this trip for a reason. Even if that meant the reason was for me to simply change.

Attitude altered, I was ready to receive what would happen in the next few hours. This began with an unexpected dance lesson with our tour guide and captain on the boat, learning 2 dances to classic Jewish songs. It was incredible the freedom I felt once again in my spirit, letting go of all expectations and inhibitions, and freely dancing with that joyful zeal God has given me!

We ended our time on the sea with a FEAST of whole fish on a massive platter, freshly caught and fried up for us! Heart and stomach full, how could one not leave changed with a view like this?

2 Replies to “A VIEW AND BOAT RIDE ON THE SEA”

  1. I danced on the same boat and ate the same fish from the same lake. That experience bonds us together, Lydia. What touches me most about your writings above?! I am deeply struck by the AWE of God in your post. “Be still and know” takes on a whole new meaning when you have experiences like you did during this time and trip. For me, meditation is just simply being somewhere with God. It’s allowing Him to clear my mind and to just “BE.” The ultimate experience is BEING with God. It’s not so much doing with God, but BEING with Him. You are spot on about the view in the first picture; it is magnificent, and it almost matches the magnificence of God himself when we are completely at rest and peace in Him.

  2. Yes, I do understand you are an emotional person 🙂 and thats good to be emotional. Some people take a long time in the spiritual walk before they understand that emotions are good. And to understand how their emotions impact others. But you have a very good grasp of both of these. “I have the power to set the tone of the atmosphere around me. ” Shows your ability to grasp emotions, express, and change if needed. But never veil them.

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