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An indescribable feeling of hope was present and resting on my heart. It was 2016 and I was in Israel with my college. We had the opportunity to explore the birthplace of the Lord. I loved visiting places where the feet of Jesus walked. How could I be any closer to Him?
There’s an undeniable wonder for a believer to see with our eyes what we believe so deeply in our hearts. Despite all the wonderful places and sights on our itinerary, my heart longed to see the tomb that Jesus walked out of, resurrected on the third day.
“[They] came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had
prepared. But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Then
they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. And it
happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two
men stood by them in shining garments. Then, as they were afraid and
bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the
living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen!” Luke 24:2-5 (NKJV)
It was the morning of the day we were to visit, and I was so expectant of the emotions I
knew would come: the overwhelming sensation of God’s presence, the gratefulness and
the unworthiness of His love, the closeness and fulfillment I would feel.
We arrived at a garden with a beautiful winding path. As we walked along the path, it felt surreal. When we approached the tomb, and I began to see the landscape before me, I smelt the heavy smell of gasoline, followed by the unmistakable sound of engines. That’s right; there is a giant bus stop directly to the right of the tomb. I was perplexed, and my vision for the moment was shattered.
While the experience of walking into the tomb itself was something I will always remember and carry with me, seeing this place left me without the feeling of fulfillment I was expecting.
Because that’s what it is, a place.
A day later, I was sitting at the edge of the Sea of Galilee, pondering these emotions and questioning why I felt a disconnection that I didn’t expect to be present, when I heard the Lord say, “I am no longer here, I am with you.” All of the expectant feelings hit me as I broke, listening to my Father teach me something that my heart already knew: His unending love for me allows me to experience a God who will continue to love me unconditionally, a God who died on a cross and was resurrected because I was worth it to Him.
As believers and as women, we often look toward worldly moments or upcoming events
in our life that we believe will bring us fulfillment. As Resurrection day approaches, remember this–while the holiday is a beautiful day spent with family and in our individual places of worship, the Father we are celebrating is in our hearts, not in the place or event.
I encourage you to take a moment today in a quiet place that brings you peace to embrace the Father who is already within you and allow your heart to open to the Lord that gave His life on the cross so that we could be free.
Madison Racel is a Contributor for Humble Faith Ministries, a lover of all things reading, writing, and baking with a happy place in the outdoors. She resides in the Carolinas with her husband and two spoiled pups! Her heart and prayer are for women to be blessed as they grow in faith through quiet moments with the Lord and a community that brings them together.