Written by a Cafe 1040 Student

"Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore.." Psalm 125

There's a lot of beauty in this place. Women dressed in vibrant colors, trees blooming with intricate flowers, friends sharing a sunset cruise on their moped, and mountaintops stretched in every direction. There's also a lot of darkness here-- injustice, poverty, and souls that are very far from the Father. I've visited a few temples and the majority of them have been on the mountaintops. There is a lot of striving and yearning to get to the high places where the deities are. It's common to see people offering sacrifices to a god that they worship as well as practicing good works in hopes that they will receive favor in return. It's painful to watch masses of people bow down to idols knowing that it grieves our savior. At times it seems hopeless-- the task is so large. But I continue to be drawn to the feet of Jesus. I'm reminded that our reality is Zion-- we are sons and daughters of the living Father. I'm reminded that Jesus bridged the gap for us. Because of His loving kindness, we do not have to build ourselves up to Him. We do not have to go to the mountain tops to be with Him. In fact, our Father "does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands as though he needed anything" (Acts 17:25). Our Father lives in our hearts by the gift of the Holy Spirit. He does not need us, yet he delights in us. This reality is too good not to share. As I learn to behold my salvation as the greatest gift, I cannot help but share of His goodness and the hope of Zion. 

"For we have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness, and gloom and a tempest... but you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living Dad, the heavenly Jerusalem... and to JC the mediator of a new covenant (Heb 12:18-24)"