Sabbatical Day2

I am standing at a northern point on the Golan Heights looking into Lebanon to the north and Syria to the east. I can't make anything out in Lebanon it's just too far and the clouds and mist are somewhat heavy in that direction. There is a UN observation post just twenty feet away maned with two soldiers keeping a close watch on the Damascus road down below. Suddenly I hear the sound of cannon fire far off in the distance. The civil war is raging a few miles away, people dying, homes destroyed and no hope for peace. Down to the south east there is a bombed out building that had been the Syrian command post just a few month ago. (later in the day I was in this very building) Israel maintains a buffer zone in this area to prevent attacks by terrorists. Mingled among the tourists are Israeli solders carrying M-16 to keep us safe. These young solders are so friendly and often speak to us and thank us for coming to their country. Men and women serve in the army here. Men for three years and women for two right out of high school and before college. I was told that the officer in charge that day was only twenty years old.

Off to the North East is Mt. Hermon where the Jordan River begins. All around us is desert but the rain in the mountains keeps the river flowing into the Sea of Galilee. The agriculture around the area is amazing. They grow abundant crops. The land of "Milk and Honey" it truly is. 

We visit a tank battalion just down the mountain where we interact with the commander (a twenty four year old) and his public relations director (a nineteen year old lady) these two both speak English and they answer dozens of questions from our group. They are able to deploy their tanks with lightning speed any where in Israel and are called the "Lightning Brigade". We all had our pictures made with them and we gave them Dallas Cowboy shirts and Texas Ranger ball caps. I sensed the greatness of these people in these two. They are full of joy, compassion and a love for their nation. I am just a little jealous as I would love to see this in american young people. Back on the bus and down to Beit Shean to hear a message from Pastor Matthew Hagee. 

The message is delivered in a Roman Colosseum. The prodigal son was his topic as this town was the type of place that the boy would have visited to spend his money. I was reminded of the glimmer and shine that seems to be so beautiful and soon turns to rust and ruin when sin lures us into it's trap. I am renewed in my resolve to "remain" in my fathers loving home and never stray. After the sermon we enjoyed a feast "under the stars", a seven course delight. lights were lit in the old city and we walked through the streets just as people might have done hundreds of years ago. I am just here on this earth for a short time. As I walk along I am aware that these people lived and died just as I. I wondered; Did they think about God as I do? Did they wonder; what is it all about? People are the same.