Before I went to Israel for the first time last spring, my Bible reading felt a bit thin. I was going through the motions of meeting with God but felt disconnected. What was once so invigorating felt more like another thing on my endlessly long to-do list.
I lacked inspiration. Teaching content that had once come like a gushing river of insight now barely trickled onto the pages of my notes.
There was a deep ache in my heart for something to change. And yet, as I looked at the reality of my schedule, all I saw were months ahead booked solid with endless demands.
You’ve probably heard me say this before but it especially applies here: when a person lives with the stress of an overwhelmed schedule, they’ll ache with the sadness of an underwhelmed soul.
That ache of sadness was draining the life out of me and my desire to do ministry.
And then a friend called to invite me to study with a church staff in Israel. I wanted to go, but not then. A trip like that would have to wait until I could find time.
One day.
But here’s the deal, no one in the history of the world ever found more time or made more time.
My friend knew this would change me. And it did.
It wasn’t easy to rearrange my schedule and figure out how to make traveling to Israel work in this season of my life. But there isn’t anything else that’s invigorated my heart and my passion for ministry like studying in the Holy Land.
When I got home, my staff instantly sensed a new depth in my teaching and a fresh inspiration in my spirit.
It was truly the best spiritual investment anyone has ever made in me.
If any part of this resonates with you, please don’t let anything hold you back. Hit the pause button on all the demands rushing at you, and let God breathe new life into your soul next fall in the Holy Land.
It’s amazing what can happen when we get intentional about underwhelming our schedule so God can overwhelm our soul.
Will you join me and the Proverbs 31 Ministries staff as we experience the Holy Land together on an intensive study trip?
The dates of our trip are October 27 – November 4, 2015, and we’d love for you to come along for the experience of a lifetime.
Find out more by clicking this link.
To read about some of the things I learned in the Holy Land in 2014, click the links below:
What I Learned From The Olive Tree
What I Never Noticed About Jesus
Please send cost…..
Please visit this link for more information 🙂 http://proverbs31.org/israel-trip/
how is the security of the tourist in Israel? and the locations to visit?
I have literally dreamed all my life about going in a trip like this. I can’t even imagine how soul overwhelming it must have been to walk where Jesus walked and see for my own eyes the lands He saw. I am overwhelmed just thinking about it. Going to pray pray pray pray that God makes a way for this to happen!!!!!
What an awesome experience! I’m sure it was life changing. I hope to one day be able to take such a spiritually fulfilling trip as well. Thanks so much for sharing about it!!!
Will this be a recurring trip or is this a one-time event?
God bless you. Please I will like to go to Holy Land with you. How can I enroll. God bless you for being a blessing in this generation.
Hi, Lysa!
I’m a Lisa who met you at Women of Faith, and it sounds like we have some things in common: I’m a country girl who grew up on a corn and soybeans farm and am thrilled to be called to minister to women through my writing. I’m using my maiden name as part of my writing name since no one knows how to pronounce my married name.
As I mentioned at the conference, I am writing a book that I intend to mentor women heading into ministry, or to come alongside women currently in ministry to help them know they aren’t alone in the pressures they face. I’m looking for women’s stories and wondered if you could help me connect with other women across the country who want to tell their stories to help their sisters in ministry. My website tells more.
Thank you for all you do– you inspire many and help them to keep on going. Blessings on your work!
Lisa.
This has touched my heart. Oh how my heart desires to not only go to the Holy Land, but to go with the ministry that has been the source of my healing and growing in the Lord over the last three years. I am diligently praying about this. I am in Texas and would have to connect with the group in Charlotte, NC. I was thinking if I worked it out, I could come up early and visit Church on Sunday and Proverbs 31 Ministries on Monday. I would love to bring back information to my church and my Wednesday night bibile study on the Proverbs 31 Ministry. We have done so many of your bible studies together and even took a group to listen to Lysa speak in Houston. We love love love her…..and I personally owe her a hug for helping me grow into the Christian woman I am today. Thank you for inspiring me to be more for Jesus.
Good Morning, I just want to say you are a blessing to our lives. Your encouragement leads to so much life within women and we bring that to our worlds. May God wrap you in His love and beauty, speak to His daughter with His precious Word. May your day be blessed.
Hi, Lysa.
I don’t have a comment about the Holy Land blog, but just wanted to comment from your Proverbs 31 devo today (didn’t know how to contact you for that!). I am so sad to hear you got chopped up by someone’s cruel and thoughtless words. I just wanted to tell you that more than any of the other Proverbs 31 ladies, you really (and consistently) put yourself out there honestly- and it blesses me so much! You are what I consider a great writer as well, meaning that you really get your points across and are able to follow a thought process that your readers can follow because you have really put in the thought and work for yourself- and the bonus is that you manage to make it smart, fresh, real, and many times flavored with the right amount of humor so we don’t take ourselves too seriously. Please know that you and your thoughtful, loving words have cut into my day and rescued me- or at least made me lighten up on myself- so many days. I am so thankful that you have offered up your heart and talents to the Lord in this way, and I am praying for your wounded heart to resurrect and come back stronger with new life! May His amazing grace be very real to you today. With love, Stephanie
P.S. Sorry about using the wrong comment area! I am technically challenged I guess!
I went to Israel in 2013 and it is one of my favorite places. Hope to go back one day.
O Wow! Hallo Lysa! I am just sooooo happy to come across your writings. Absolutely love it! Thank you, Jesus! Thank you for sharing who you are and most of all, your walk with the Lord in a way that is so easy and lovely to read.
I’m a mom of 2 young ones. Love to learn from you and have respect and love for woman who stand up and lead in a loving and Godly way. Woman who are real and strong.
Thank you for being you and what and how you share. Absolutely LOVE it!
Love Marizanne