And I know that because of the Holy Spirit, there is a “River” we can allow to flow through us—Jesus, the Water of Life. And I believe that after we have taken this step, this baptism, whether symbolically or literally, we will begin to experience a freedom that will set our feet to dance and inspire our hearts to sing.

And the laughter will bubble forth from within us like water in a brook.

Once There, We Desire to Return

In 2007, under contract for Thomas Nelson, I returned to Israel to photograph the land and to journal about the Bible places to which Miriam and I would journey. Early on I asked, “Will we get to return to the bridge over the water?”

Miriam knew exactly where I was talking about and she said we would.

I found that nothing about it had changed. With Mount Hermon’s snowcapped beauty just north of us, the water rushed downward, its pulse sounding like the footsteps of a powerful army, marching its way to the Jordan.

As I had done years before, I dipped my hand beneath the surface of the water and felt its icy swirl. I giggled and then I laughed. I felt joyous and revived all at once. I had returned to the river but I knew that once would not be enough. Each trip to Israel will require a visit to this site, this paradise, this provisional source for the land.

The river is much like my Savior, the River of Life. He is the “place” I return to time and again. He leaves me joyous and dancing; fulfilled and yet wanting for more.

But I don’t have to fly half-way across the world to find Him. Neither do you. This River, you see, is wherever you are. This River is here.

Eva Marie Everson and Miram Feinberg Vamosh will see the release of their book Reflections of Israel; A Personal Journey to God’s Holy Land this summer (Thomas Nelson/Nelson Bibles). Eva Marie is a seminary graduate and student; she speaks on a number of topics and can be reached by going to www.EvaMarieEverson.com. 
Photos by Eva Marie Everson