A Diverse Landscape - June 24, 2014

I was struck by two things today in our time in the field: the geographic diversity of this country, and the interesting mix of old and new.

Heading southwest out of the Hill Country where Jerusalem and many Judean cities are located, across the east-west valleys and into the Shephelah, out to the Coastal Plain and the Mediterranean, and then southeast through the biblical Negev, my eyes took in both the beauty and barrenness of this land. From large brownish hills dotted with boulders to lush green valleys filled with olive trees and grape vines, from the wild blue waves of the ocean to the golden fields where Bedouins graze their sheep, this place is a study in contrast.

Contrast is also evident in the ancient ruins nestled amid modern cities and construction projects. We drove along multiple roadways which are being widened with modern construction equipment but then pulled over to see an ancient cistern and watering trough right next to the road. The ancient gate of the city of Ashkelon, where Samson went and killed thirty Philistine men in anger, is within viewing distance of high-rise buildings of modern coastal cities. All across the country, ancient and modern exist next to one another in a peculiar, intriguing way.

Yet, the diverse people of this land seem unable to exist next to one another the way their geography and structures do. The issues are complex; there are no simple answers. But I know God’s heart aches for the people of this land and he desires them to live in peace and harmony, celebrating their diversity rather than letting it be a barrier.

The U.S. is not immune to this inability to live in shalom. Even Christians seem unable to embrace the beauty of diversity among the people of God. We are too busy defending our way of doing things and arguing about why we are right and “they” are wrong.

What if humanity could take a lesson from this beautiful land? Different geological bedrock creates zones here, each having its function and purpose. Some is better for summer crops, some for grazing of sheep and goats, some holds water well in dug cisterns, some allows water to seep between layers to create natural springs and aquifers.

Shepherds and farmers were able to form a symbiotic relationship. Shepherds remained in the grazing land during the rainy season, living off the water and shrubs in the wilderness, thus allowing the farmers crops to grow and mature. Farmers allowed the shepherds to bring their flocks after the harvest to feed off the remaining grains during the dry, hot season when water and food were scarce in the wilderness and, in turn, received natural fertilizer to enrich their land for the next year’s growing season.

Diverse people, in a diverse land, learning to work with one another for the benefit of all. This is a lesson I believe that God wants to teach the church through this amazing promised land.