Where is God's Country?

I was born and raised in Sydney, Nova Scotia.instructions on how to live their lives. There are
And I spent the better part of my 17 yearsno katusha missiles aimed at its population. Cape
there believing that I lived in a special place.Bretoners never worry about their kindergartens
Actually, I was told that in no uncertain terms bybeing blown up or getting on a bus.
pretty much every adult I knew; Nova Scotia andSomething about all that peacefulness makes you
more specifically, Cape Breton Island, was God'sreally wonder if it might actually be God's Country.
Country. Everyone in Cape Breton called it God'sI don't think that the snow or the everlasting cold
Country and I never doubted it.are working in Cape Breton's favour, but what do
If you have ever driven over Smokey MountainI know? Maybe tobogganing and skiing are holy
on the way to the Cabot Trail, you have seen itsexperiences. Of course, maybe sitting on the
natural beauty for yourself. And if you made it asbeach in Netanya or overlooking the Negev as the
far as Cape North on a sunny day, you maysun is coming up are as well.
have actually seen a piece of heaven.The people who choose to live on the edges of
Or so I thought.Cape Breton -- literally in the middle of nowhere --
Then seven years ago I moved to Israel, which isdo so to be alone. They must; what other reason
considered by millions of people worldwide to bewould someone have to move to a cold,
God's Country.perpetually damp, rocky cliff on the edge of the
Hence the dilemma. Where precisely is God'ssea?
Country?People who move to the outer parts of Israel do
Yes, Israel is part of the cradle of civilization. Capeso to inhabit those places and secure them as
Breton surely is not because the people who liveJewish land. These Israelis are securing the
there are generally adverse to more civilized living.frontiers of this tiny state - not militarily, but
When they desire moments of civility.... they getemotionally. The exact opposite of the Cape
on a plane and go somewhere else to find it. ThenBreton logic.
they go home.The people who live at the outer reaches of
Cape Bretoners are not particularly interested inIsrael are not trying to get away from civilization.
progress and modernization. They like things justMany of them made conscious decisions to play
as they are (and as they have always been). Notan active role in populating the outer reaches of
like Israel, which is considered by many to be thethe country. I see them as Israel's remaining
next largest concentration of high-tech brainpioneers.
power outside of Silicon Valley in California.Both places have lots of beautiful mountains and
Is it possible that God has two homes -- Hisvistas. But just over Israel's mountains live some
winter abode in Israel and when the weather getsof the least friendly neighbours anyone could ask
too hot here, He shifts to his northern summerfor. If you look too far over the edge of a
home in Cape Breton? If I were Him, I would pickmountain in Cape Breton you will be swimming
that option. Why upset the Cape Bretoners whowith the whales -- Cape Breton doesn't really
think they have a piece of Him when He can justhave any neighbours and even if it did... how could
as easily shift location in the summer?you not love a Cape Bretoner?
There is one advantage to Cape Breton that ISo you can see the dilemma. Where exactly is
think Israelis would actually like. Cape Breton is allGod's country?
but completely ignored by the outside world. NoBoth are holy in their own way. The best bet is
one there is in a hurry to go anywhere or doto visit both and decide for yourself.
anything. And no superpowers are giving them