Chapter Ten: The Eye of the Storm.
Virtual Pilgrimage Location. The Valley of Elah in Israel.
No Passport needed. Experience a spiritual adventure from the comfort of your computer.
A sneak peak into Karen’s upcoming book.
The Healing Eyes of Mercy. A Journey Towards the Light of God’s Love.
Chapter Ten: The Eye of the Storm.
Genesis 3:1-6. Now the serpent was the most cunning of all the animals that the Lord God had made. The serpent asked the woman, “Did God really tell you not to eat from any of the trees in the garden?” The woman answered the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; it is only about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden that God said, “You shall not eat it or even touch it, lest you die!” But the serpent said to the woman, “You certainly will not die! No, God knows well that the moment you eat of it you will be like gods who know what is good and what is bad.” The woman saw that the tree was good for food, pleasing to the eye and desirable for gaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it.
With steroid therapy behind her, the young woman began to look and feel like herself again. Her confidence returned as she landed a job, purchased a car and signed her first lease. Work was a breeze compared to school, so the young professional had the time, energy and money to start enjoying life again. She was sure that a few parties and possibly a new romance was all that was needed to make her feel new again, for although the storm of endometriosis had left her battered, she had emerged victorious. On the surface, this seemed like a good plan, however, it was filled with hidden dangers. Feeling light wind and seeing only clear skies, our young professional assumed that the storm of darkness had finally passed. Failing to recognize the loving hand of God, which had led her to safety, she chose to go forward on her own, unaccompanied by His wisdom. Misjudging the surrounding calmness, found in the eye of the storm, she remained vulnerable and ill equipped for the destructive forces headed her way.
Virtual Pilgrimage Location. The Valley of Elah in Israel
The Valley of Elah, in central Israel, where David slew the giant, Goliath. Pictured above is a narrow trench filled with white rocks, similar to those used by David, worn down by the waters of winter.
The valley of Elah is an open, flat, triangular shaped valley located just below the Judean hill country of Israel. Historically, this valley served as an important corridor between the coastal cities of western Israel and the eastern towns of Bethlehem and Jerusalem. Around 1010 B.C., this valley was the setting for a great Biblical battle between the young shepherd boy, named David, and the Giant Goliath. Relying on their own strength and size, no Israelite soldier found themselves fit to battle the Giant. David, however small and inexperienced, put his trust in God and found the courage to confront this larger than life champion of darkness, “You come against me with a sword and spear and scimitar, but I come against you in the name of the Lord of hosts. Today, the Lord shall deliver you into my hands, thus the whole land shall learn that Israel has a God” (1Samuel 17:45-46). According to the Bible, the Philistines arrogantly watched from the south side of the valley, while the Israelites anxiously watched from the northern end, for the outcome of this battle was to determine the fate of each warring nation.
Anything is possible with God, for in His hands, five simple stones can smite the giants of darkness with one simple blow. What are your current struggles and stones of choice? (Self reliance, prayer, Mass attendance, participation in the sacraments, Scripture readings?)
David, drawing his strength from God, faced the heavily armed giant with 5 stones and a sling. The young shepherd boy knocked the giant down with a single shot then cut his head off with a sword. Israel, recognizing God as their champion, chased the Philistines out of the valley of Elah and easily defeated the army of giants. Becoming more self-reliant, King Saul and the Israelite nation soon began to rely on their own abilities in place of God’s loving guidance and care. Subsequently, they experienced defeat, at the hands of the Philistines, in this same valley (1Chronicles 14:8-17). When God was with them, all went well for the nation of Israel, however, taking matters into their own hands, they experienced only death and destruction. Let us pray, that in the face of darkness, we learn to place our trust in God and reach for the stones of faith like the simple shepherd boy named, David.
Closing 3:00 p.m. prayer for Divine Mercy.
Eternal Father, I offer You, the Body and Blood, soul and divinity of Your Dearly Beloved Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and the sins of the entire world.
For the sake of His Sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the entire world. (Repeat two more times).
Jesus, I trust in You.
To learn more about my new book entitled, The Healing Eyes of Mercy. A Journey Towards the Light of God’s Love, please click on the link below.
Spiritual Safari Guide Blog 