By Callie Mitchell, SAVED News International Correspondent, Jerusalem, Israel
Sitting to write this column, I am astounded by how different the world has become since last month. I don’t know what to say, fearing I might be insensitive or incorrect in some way. In fact, my opening sentence is questionable, as the world really hasn’t changed for some of you, and I mean my black friends. It’s being exposed for what you’ve been suffering that many of us haven’t been able, or chosen not to see. For my part in that, I am so very sorry and I ask for your forgiveness.
In Israel, we are often exposed to the worst of human sin nature. Encountering terrorism has kept me broken. It has given me a greater realization of our need for Yeshua’s shed blood, and the greatness of His sacrifice. We are far more ugly and depraved as a human race than I understood when I first came to faith. That He would enter into this and take our ugly, wicked ways on Himself, is profound and far beyond my understanding. The flood makes more sense the cross, in dealing with our unrighteousness, yet He gave us the cross. And not only that- the cross wasn’t God’s reaction to sin, but a plan that the Lord created before the foundation of the earth. Before He put the breath of life into Adam, before the original sin, God knew in His wisdom that we would fall and He would redeem and atone for us in the person of His Son. This is love.
Out of the Mouth of Babes
Often we shield our children from the painful events abroad because we suffer such human ills where we are, but when our 10-year-old, Aviel, came home from school and asked about what was happening in the States, we had to have a discussion. Our 5-year-old, Lydia, listened in as well. I was so concerned that these matters might cause anxiety in her little heart but a few days later she spoke truth out of her understanding.
On Lydia’s walk to preschool, we are blessed to have a view of the Temple Mount and the Mount of Olives, where Yeshua sweated like blood before he was crucified, then ascended into Heaven after his Resurrection, and where His feet will touch down when He returns. One day recently, she looked at the Mount of Olives on the horizon and she said, “All of these things are happening now because Yeshua is coming soon.” She smiled and then went about her walking, carefree, and content; full of trust, void of worry, and fear.
Childlike Faith
My tiny daughter spoke a volume of truth to me, not only in her words but also in her posture. She was at perfect peace because her eyes were fixed on the Lord, not our worldly circumstances. Precious friends, we are at the end of the age, and we need victory like Lydia’s childlike faith in the midst of such brokenness. Let’s fix our eyes on the Lord and remember He’s coming soon. Soon and very soon.
About The Author
