A Heart for Heritage by Lisa Burkhardt Worley
Over the years, I have loved all of the English programs like The Crown and Downton Abbey. I think it’s my 41% English blood that is drawn to shows like that.
However, it is the 33% Jewish ethnicity that has made the biggest splash in my recent history. In 2014, I was called back to my Jewish roots supernaturally in Israel, and since then I have written a book about it, entered a doctoral program to study about Messianic Judaism, and put together a documentary on Antisemitism, now up for an international award.
God has given me a heart for my heritage even though I did not grow up in the tradition due to the untimely death of my dad.
This week I was immersed in prayer for Israel and Jerusalem at a mega event called “The Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast.” I did not know what to expect but leaders who love the land like U.S. Representative Michele Bachmann, Senator Ted Cruz and Texas Governor Greg Abbott, all either spoke about Israel or lifted up petitions for our Jewish brothers and sisters. It was a powerful and inspiring event.
Members of the Israeli Knesset were also at the downtown Dallas Hyatt Regency speaking and sharing about the massive influx of Jews into the land of Israel, many of them Ukrainians fleeing their land, currently under siege. According to Knesset Member Tatiana Mazarsky, about 500 are declaring Aliyah per day, with thousands waiting in the queue. We are watching prophecy about end times unfold.
“When I have brought them back from the nations and have gathered them from the countries of their enemies, I will be proved holy through them in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the Lord their God, for though I sent them into exile among the nations, I will gather them to their own land, not leaving any behind” (Ezekiel 39:27–28, NIV).
As we heard from a couple of people who are creating films about Israel, or who have ministries to educate people about Israel, I kept wondering What is my role in all this? It’s a good question to ask God on occasion. We can also ask the LORD: Am I doing everything you are asking me to do? Is there anything I am missing? Does my past have anything to do with my future?
For whatever reason, God has given me a call to my heritage and I am listening for future ways to educate people about Israel and the Jewish people. What is God currently calling you to do? He doesn’t waste a minute of your life and desires to use your past, or your heritage for His glory.