RUNNING ON EMPTY

I’m reflecting back to day seven of the ICEJ Feast of Tabernacles tour where we visited religious and historical sites throughout Israel. In the morning we checked out of the hotel at Kibbutz Nof Ginosar and began our last day in the Galilee. On the agenda: baptisms in the Jordan River, touring Nazareth, ascending Mount Carmel, and visiting Megiddo before finishing the day in Jerusalem where we began to prepare our hearts for the opening of the Feast.

At this point in the tour the only things that kept me going physically were the Spirit of God and lots of coffee! I was averaging between five and six hours of sleep each night of the tour. It was crazy, I know, but I just wanted to soak up every opportunity here in Israel despite my feelings of exhaustion and weakness. Needless to say I was running on empty.

There were many tour members running on empty; some physically, some emotionally, and some spiritually.  It is during these times that we need to be refueled and this is exactly the point at which God can grab hold of us and restore us. I find that there is a restorative power in this land.  I believe it is because our God came to earth and saved us here in this place. The Holy Spirit remains here and brings us healing and comfort.

It was on this day, after a full year of running on empty, that I was baptized in the waters of the Jordan River. Yes! Those same waters that washed over our Lord Jesus Christ. I was blessed to share the moment with seven others who desired to pass from their former life into a new, a pure and spiritual life rooted in Christ.

Day 8 promised a visit to the Western Wall and a drive to Ein Gedi for the worship celebration in the desert which was to open the Feast. I was expecting an amazing spiritual energy from God to meet us there. I was hopeful that this outpouring would fill us all and set the tone for the entire Feast. I was not disappointed.  The opening of the Feast of Tabernacles both at Ein Gedi and at the Roll Call of the Nations in Jerusalem were beyond my wildest expectations.  I will share more soon.

Jeremy Carney is guest blogging for the ICEJ as a member of this year’s tour to the Feast of Tabernacles.  Contact us about joining us for next year’s Feast! »