Looks

For the last several weeks, we were traveling overseas. One of our stops was the Dead Sea in Jordan. We both had preconceived notions about it: it would smell (cuz ya know, the whole “dead” part), it would be murky, it would be really large. I’ll also admit to being skeptical about the “you can’t sink” part.

When we first saw it from the highway, it was beautiful! Once the weather cleared you could see clear across it to Israel. We were staying at a hotel right on the edge of the Dead Sea, so we swim-suited up and headed down to the edge. The small beach area was covered in pebbles and rocks. There was no icky smell, and the water was beautifully clear.

We ventured in and sure enough, you literally cannot sink. Oh, and the salt part? One drop inadvertently landing on my tongue as I struggled to get my legs back down to stand was enough to convince me I didn’t need another drop.

While our preconceived ideas about the Dead Sea were largely wrong, one thing was very true. For all it’s beauty and uniqueness, it is lifeless.

Sometimes we have ideas about something or someone that are wrong in the details but correct in the big picture. Checking things out may still prove that we can’t live with that, whether it is a person, a place, or an idea.

Similarly, we may find that the wrong ideas we have about the details have kept us from something that is life-giving. Sounds crazy, but maybe in this Christmas season, the Babe in the manger is worth another look.