Just before Rosh HaShanah...

Just before Rosh HaShanah...I live suspended between worlds. Jerusalem is an essentially religious town. In many ways, it is a small village with lot's of people involving themselves in their neighbor's lives. It is also the center of the universe for the Jewish People worldwide and the object of intense hatred by about a billion Moslems. But I'm a Christian.I feel like I fit in just fine. I speak the local dialect and I not only understand the local customs, I teach tourists from all over the world about life, history and culture here. Then, every once in a while, I notice that my friends and neighbors are noticing me. I guess I missed a step in the dance or something.I once heard an American whose skin is darker than I suggest that he might have gotten special treatment because of his skin color. I suppose it might be true. He thinks of himself as living as a minority in a world of prejudice. I wonder. Now, I live as a minority. Nobody mistakes me for an Arab, ever. I may be mistaken for Jewish I suppose. I dress like many of my friends and my skin is approximately the same color. Still, I think they notice me from time to time.It was at lease partially my choice to live in this place. I like to believe that God was involved in the plan. I came to shine if possible but I also came to learn. I have done some serious learning.So, it's just a couple days before the Biblical celebration of the new year. The typical celebration includes blowing horns. I have a special ram's horn that I intend to blow. I may offer the guests in our home the opportunity to blow a horn too. Why not? It sounds kinda cool and it's great fun to make such a piercing noise. I'll probably blow it on the balcony facing the city. There is an Arab village a few hundred yards away and I'm sure they'll love me for keeping them awake. They blast us with a call to prayer and a reminder that they believe Allah is greater than our God, five times a day. Yeah, it might be payback time.You see, suspended between worlds. Jewish neighbors, Arab/Moslem neighbors and us; a tiny island of Evangelical Christians; here in Jerusalem.Is it ridiculous to pray that God bless all the neighbors? I intend to pray, anyway!Shana Tova!