Gravitational Invitation

Once upon a time, I asked two women a question. One woman was my grandmother Bea Mullins. The other was my husband’s grandmother, Katherine Richardson. I had asked them about those early trips to Israel in the 70’s. They both speak in awe of the fact that they, little hill girls from the mountains of West Virginia had travelled the world.

The only time people in their communities traveled was to go to war.

They shared that had it not been for the servant of God leading them, inviting them, encouraging them. They would never have taken the first step. And by proxy, I would not be as at ease. Their willingness opened up the pathway for generations to come.

I am thankful for the men and women in our lives that continue the leading, inviting and encouraging for people to return to Israel. I am thankful for the love of Israel my parents (Thomas and Barbara Young) instilled in me at a young age. My first trip was when I was 14 years old. I have spoken to Taylor and Molly Keller and they feel the same about Pastor Jerry Keller’s love for Israel that has overflowed into them.

I look at the ladies on this trip from Evangelical House of God Bible Teaching Center. If Sheba hadn’t been brave enough to accept her invitation on the last trip from Pastor Thomas, something no one in her community had yet to do, would their invitations ever come?

Sheba brought with her five lovely ladies that have never been to Israel. Some who will take their first flight today with us. I think about the fact that sometimes it takes an invitation. A nudge to escape the gravitational pull of our daily lives and routines. For many years, I have defaulted to not wanting to bother someone with invitations, but this world is hungry to belong, to matter, to go on adventures. I honestly cannot wait to see the legacy of this one young lady’s invitation to her church.

Many of you reading this, that have done this trip before, were impacted by one man’s obedience. Rev. Loran Helm carved this pathway to go and obey and to love the People of the Book.

Each obedience was an invitation from the Holy Spirit to walk with Him. It is beautiful how invitation and obedience flow together and trickle down one pathway to the next, to the next.

If we follow our own trails back, we are all following in the footsteps of a man from Galilee that said “Come Follow Me”. May we still continue to obey and invite. When, He leads, where He leads, how He leads.