I depart on Monday, but my mind is racing ahead!  When I spent a brief time in Jerusalem years ago, I was a believer but not a dedicated Christian.  We visited a few of the requisite tourist sites: The Holy Sepulcher, Garden Tomb, Bethlehem… And quite frankly, I thought to myself I should have felt something; if the place was truly holy, I would have been able to “feel ” it.

In retrospect, that would be like expecting to feel the exhilaration of a rollercoaster , simply by standing beside the ride, never having the courage or faith to actually get on board.  But honestly, brethren, how can we truly experience a ride like that just by imagination?  How can we stand at the gate staring at the ride and expect to feel everything leap within us as the car flies over the summit of the highest peak, or sink deep into our bowels as we lurch out of the lowest depth.  We’ll never feel the tremendous force from side to side as the car speeds around a curve to the left, then the right, then again and again!  We will never feel the wind in our face as we glide in to the finish of the ride.

Now, fast forward to God’s threshing floor.  Do we think he is going to just give us all His glory if we merely stand at the door and say “I want to feel it?”  No, my friend.  He is going to sift us first:  we will be tossed up again and again, and shaken with all the stones, dirt and chaff; hurled in the air and from side to side. Up we go, and down we fall, over and over again…only to then be subjected to the tremendous wind of His breath as He separates us from the chaff to leave only the pure, wholesome grains in His hand.

Life is a pilgrimage, not a tour.  We must first take our step of faith through the gate, strap ourselves into the seat and take the ride.  That, my friend, is how and when you will “feel” the glory and holiness of God, no matter where on His earth you are standing.

“Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”  Exodus 3:5