A Climb Towards Freedom...

"I do not think that all who choose wrong roads perish; but their rescue consists in being put back on the right road. A wrong sum can be put right: but only by going back till you find the error and working it afresh from that point, never by simply going on. Evil can be undone, but it cannot "develop" into good. Time does not heal it. The spell must be unwound, bit by bit, "with backward matters of dissevering power" - or else not." - C.S. Lewis

A day in the light.

A day in the sun.

Breathe it all in,

The freshness.

The freeness of it all.

Leaving the cares behind.

You trek on through the trails.

The road is rocky and dangerous,

With thorns that so easily ensnare.

Before you know it you are bloodied and scarred.

It happened so quickly but still you drag on,

Though the gashes were deep.

If only you had put your armor on.

Perhaps you could have been safe.

Wrapped up in righteousness and truth.

Holding the shield of faith.

Not forgetting the sword of the Spirit and of Truth.

But you assumed you would be okay.

So there you go, right on your own way.

You come to a fork in the road,

A split, where you are left to choose.

One filled with light,

The other with lust and lies.

One filled with holy promises,

The other offering quick and vain pleasures.

With gashing wounds and bleeding heart,

You take one step on the wrong path,

And from there you continue on.

In search of a quick relief.

In search of something you can't attain

But what you found was no relief at all.

Instead you lost yourself,

Amidst the darkness and utter defiance.

No light seemed to come through the trees.

And as you realized what you had done,

You fell on your face and cried a desperate plea.

Desperate need of change.

Desperate need of love.

Desperate need of a healing embrace.

No embrace came.

Instead a quiet word from behind you.

The voice of the One whom you clearly defied.

He tells you, “This is the way, walk in it.”

He is telling you to turn around.

“But that is where I came from,” is your cry.

But still He is telling you to move on.

So you walk back through the choices you made,

Remembering the sin with every turn,

Each like salt in your filthy wounds.

But just when you think you are done,

The pain so deep, through and through,

You see a stream, sweet mercy anew.

Because of the wounds, the water quenches you,

Sweeping over you like never before.

It fills you deep and satisfies your thirsting soul.

Even cleansing the dirt from your eyes,

Giving way for you to see why,

Why you were looking here to be wholly satisfied and wholly healed.

Your Teacher is showing you His face,

Full of beauty and of grace.

Somehow using such mistakes for His glorious name.

This is a marvelous mystery indeed.

But one that calls you in, ever near to see His face.

For a moment you are lost in the beauty of it all,

Never realizing how far you have actually come.

Until you see the fork once more,

Far off,

But there are some terribly high stairs before.

They stand between you and freedom.

You know it will not be an easy climb.

“Father, these were not here before.”

“No,” He replied

“But because of your choice you have to endure this climb.

It won’t be easy, but it’s a consequence indeed.

But know that I have forgiven you,

I have given you all the truth that you need.

And taking your right hand,

I will guide you on.”

So hand in hand they climb.

She slipped many times,

She reopened some wounds when they were scraped,

But He still pulled her along, never leaving her side.

This is where she is now…

Climbing great rocks and boulders.

But ever secure in His hands.

Where her name is written on His palms.

And His name written upon her heart.

Inspiring Truth

"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." - Hebrews 12:1

"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God," - Ephesians 5:11, 14-17

"For a people shall dwell in Zion, in Jerusalem; you shall weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry. As soon as He hears it, He answers you. And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide Himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left." - Isaiah 30:19-21

"His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence," - 2 Peter 1:3

"For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, 'Fear not, I am the one who helps you.'" - Isaiah 41:13

"Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands; your walls are continually before Me." - Isaiah 49:15-16