Italia Salvation

Italy was my moment of Salvation. It's amazing to look back and see how God orchestrated it all. As soon as I arrived, I noticed there was a different feeling in the air; I thought it was the art and the history, which maybe that's all it was at first. Our teacher led us up to St. Mineato, a church atop the highest hill in Florence. It was a 45 min. hike - grueling to the joints and feet - but it was well worth every step of the way. The beauty of the landscape of Florence was breathtaking, and the higher up we got, the more I was amazed at God's creation. We reached the top and I was out of breath, but tears filled my eyes at the thought that I just took the same journey that the pilgrims took many ages ago. That hike was meant from day one to symbolize one's spiritual journey to God, and I thoroughly understood that beautiful concept once I reached the top. When I first saw the church from a distance, I thought I'd never make it by myself ~ but once I was looking at the church up close, I felt as though I was at the right hand of God.
Once I entered the Cathedral, it was dark and it took a few minutes for my eyes to adjust. The whole world outside me had suddenly disappeared and my thoughts were solely on God's Kingdom. The smell in the air was sweet, the air around me felt cool. The silence brought me peace and my eyes had never been struck by such beauty before. All my senses were lifted up simultaneously, transcending me into a realm I'd never experienced before. Before I entered I was tired, hot, and weary, but now I was awake, cool, and in awe. My whole body was tingling and I felt myself shudder at the sight of an ancient monk, dressed in a all white robe, praying in the pews. The shudder ran up and down my spine creating goose bumps all over my body. The presence of the Lord was thick, like a blanket of fog too dense to see. I dropped to my knees and prayed in a pew, right next to where my favorite monk had been sitting earlier. The presence of the Lord was upon me, and I prayed my thanks to Him. I've never felt so thankful for everything that I had been given in this life. It was the perfect moment in the perfect place, and from that moment on - He never left my side. It took a long time after to soak in all the art that surrounded me ~ the ancient fading frescos on the wall were more amazing than any art I had seen previously. I was forced to leave the church ~ I could have spent days in there. As soon as I walked out the door, the real material world hit me again - it was one of the most shocking moments of my life. I started to ask myself, "What just happened in there? Did that really just happen?!" It was all so surreal. I was once again forced to go back down to the city, but God's spirit was with me this time. I felt as though I had gaurdien angels surrounding me ~ I was on a spiritual high. His presence stayed with me the rest of the trip, and I felt like I had just been woken inside. I'd never felt so alive before ~ experiencing everything all over again ~ as though it was the first time. Everything I had ever known all the sudden made sense. I felt a new sense of wisdom had overcome me, giving me power within. The word 're-born' had never hit me so strongly ~ and now I knew the Holy Spirit dwelt within. I had a new conscience before God, that shuddered at the thought of sin. His spirit gave me power to overcome all that came in my way - and now I knew He was within me, forever here to stay.
How ironic that I, and artist, was reborn in the city of Florence. Florence was the place in history where the whole world was first reborn. The Renaissance movement - the very word meaning "rebirth." Before this time was the Dark Ages , where the legalistic church ruled the land, but after the time of the Renaissance, a new idea of our relationship with God came to light. Art changed, philosophy changed, poetry changed, history was changed, and now I was changed in that very place.. God does know our hearts!