The Untidiness of Reality

Reality can be untidy. I experienced that first-hand while exploring key archaeological sites in Israel, Jordan, and the West Bank. When I set out to see the site of Jesus' baptism, I found out that most people travel to a place on the Jordan River called Yardenit. This picturesque site is fed by fresh water from the north and is very inviting. This photo is one that I took at Yardenit.   

Unfortunately, experts agree that Jesus was not baptized at this pristine spot. Most likely, he was baptized at a place about 60 miles south called Al-Maghtas. Unlike beautiful Yardenit, Al-Maghtas is not a popular tourist destination. At this point, the Jordan River is polluted and has an ugly greenish color. You can see this from a photo that I took from the Jordanian side of the river. Although Al-Maghtas is not a "postcard" location, recent archaeological digs confirm its historical value.  Reality isn't always nice, clean, and tidy. Our daily challenge is to navigate in an untidy world. This is true whether we are exploring Al-Maghtas, raising a family or growing a business.