Dead or Alive?

When we were in Jordan we had our first look at the Dead Sea. Before our trip many of us had been told the Dead Sea is the most salty body of water in the world - nothing can live in the Dead Sea. Yet from all angles in Jordan and Israel the Sea (actually a lage lake) is undeniably beautiful.

We expected the water to be dirty and barren but, in fact, the water was very blue and green and rimed with white and brown swirls from the salt and mud-minerals. The Dead Sea sparkled as it caught the light of the sun-lit sky. Admitedly I was unsure about putting more than a toe into the water. We had also been told that everything floats more than usual, even people. Eventually I did put my feet in and the water felt almost softer than normal. Other swimmers likened the experience to being in bath water with bath salts or oils as well as a weightless feeling with little control over one's movement.

It was mentioned by a few people how even though the Dead Sea is breath-taking against the desert background and blue sky with clouds, it is still dead! In the same way, we all are God's beautiful creation, however when born into this world we are dead in our sin. Only Jesus can clean us from the inside so life can come about.