Many of us want to know how our ancestry has influenced our development as individuals. Are we willing to make the sacrifices that are necessary to really leave the world a better place for our children? I watched a DVD collection called, “Against All Odds Israel Survives, ” and I realized that the state of Israel became one of the world’s most significant contributors to man’s development with scientific advances and simple life styles, as warriors and appeasers, with spirited, courageous, and intelligent people, with educational standards and forward-thinking universities, and as some of the world’s most caring, loving, and kind people. Since Biblical times, Israelis have waited for a land to call their own for over 2000 years. Throughout this time, many people have returned to Israel from across the globe seeking “home.”
In the hearts of many Israelis is a strong belief in the power of miracles to help everyone reach for a better world, no matter what that sacrifice entails. There are two types of people that have helped make Israel what it is today: the clouds and the doves. The clouds are those with no emotion, no wisdom, and a need to be pushed by the winds of problems such as social ills, historical events, and man’s inhumanity to man. The doves are those who want to have children, to nest, and to make homes; they bring their emotions, feelings, and sentiments to the new world. No matter whether these immigrants believe in God or not, there is a strong belief that God made the history of Israel, and He makes its future. In the souls of all people lies the belief that the past, present, and future are influenced by a power higher than all other things. Jeremiah 31: 17 (KJV) states, “And there is hope in thine end, saith the Lord, that thy children shall come again to their own border.”
God cares about us as individuals as much as He cares about the birth of nations and their developments into caring and loving communities of the world. If the birth of Israel in 1948 is an indication of God’s power, then nothing is truly impossible when you believe that faith is the path to Him. We need to applaud those who survive difficulties far beyond the situations of the average person and to realize that a strong faith is fundamental to the accomplishments of courageous people. How much more could we do with our lives knowing that God expects more from us, that His plans for us continue on even as we become tired and confused about which path to take? Are we willing to give up wealth, privilege, and comfort for the opportunity to experience a life of purpose? In the end, our choice is either to believe in God or not. Faith in God will get us through all difficulties; worldly secularism and materialism will not.
To find who you are and what your true purpose is in life, you need to look for and find the commonalities in everyone. Our differences will always keep us apart, but our commonalities, our oneness, will bring our souls together and help us to open our eyes, ears, and hearts. Like the immigrants to Israel have proven many times over, when you seek the truths from the past, present, and future, you open the windows to your souls. For the people of Israel and all who sacrificed for the development of a Jewish state, I believe that their backs were up against a wall, against all odds, and yet, they have survived. Their strength lies in the power of faith, the love of caring families, and the purposes of countless individuals not afraid to walk with God.
Although I come from ancestors who were both clouds and doves, I am a dove. I bring my heart and soul to everything I do, and that has made all the difference. I took the road less traveled, the road to God, and maybe when I stand before Him, He will say, “Well done, thy good and faithful servant.”
Anna Hartt
