How great is our God?

Submitted by Jason

     In the last few weeks, as we've planned the logistics of getting to Belize, we've realized that the dates of our departure from the US and our arrival in Belize are of major significance. While these dates will always be of significance to us, they've been celebrated long before we ever agreed to go.
     On the 16th of Sept, the day that we, with one foot, step onto a Carnival cruise ship in Galveston, Tx, and with the other foot take our last step on American soil for an unspecified amount of time, marks the beginning of Rosh Hashannah. It is the celebration of the Jewish new year. Being that I have never before observed this holiday, I decided to research it. I was delighted to find this; "Rosh Hashannah observances include: a) Eating a piece of apple dipped in honey, to symbolize our desire for a sweet year, and other special foods symbolic of the new year's blessing. b) Blessing one another with the words 'Leshanah tovah tikateiv veteichateim,' 'MAY YOU BE INSCRIBED AND SEALED FOR A GOOD YEAR.' c) Tashlich, a special PRAYER SAID NEAR A BODY OF WATER (an ocean, river, pond, etc.), in evocation of the verse, "And You shall cast their sins into the depths of the sea." And as with every major Jewish holiday, after candlelighting and prayers we recite kiddush and make a blessing on the challah."
     Israel is God's chosen nation and the Jews are His chosen people. That is very clear in scripture. It is also clear in scripture that Christ's sacrifice made way for non-Jews to partake in the promises and covenant originally intended exclusively for the Jews. "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Gal 3:28-29 KJV).  Scripturally, we have every right to observe the Jewish calender, fully confident that God's promise is to us, non-Jews, as well.
     On the 20th of Sept we will arrive in Belize City, Belize, which happens to be the eve of Belize's independence day. On Sept 21, 1981 Belize, formerly British Honduras, attained full independence from Britain. This holiday is celebrated much like America's 4th of July with parades, music, dancing and joyful gathering in public places.
     What does this mean to us? To me, it's another sign of the goodness of the Lord upon our lives. I could not have coordinated these dates to line up with our departure from the US and our arrival in Bz if I had tried. We will depart in the midst of a new year celebration and arrive in the midst of a celbration of independence. How great is our God?