Look! Listen! Be alert! You have now found your place on a soft, shaky foundation! A place where walls of hurt and distrust are being resurrected around you and pictures of your past are being so cleverly hung for your reminiscing! This is a place where anger and sadness dwell within! It's so dark and dense in there! And oh, there's a stench! The stench of bitterness seeps in through the cracks in the mortar and the ferocious winds of worry and doubt rattle the windows and cause the frame to tremble. Insecurity beats at the door demanding that you answer. Don't answer it! Please! For the one who knocks is selling poison. A poison that will knock you down, obscure your defenses and will allow him to defeat you! There is an antidote, but this, he will not sell you! It's enough that you heard him knock and drew near. Now his poison is beginning to permeate your already weakened defenses! The room, your mind, is foggy now with the poison called SIN! It is slowly becoming a layer of dust upon your heart! Something within you tells you you need to knock the dust off and open the windows, but fear, guilt and shame have put a seal around the window frames and the sash from the curtain of free will has been fixed over your eyes, blinding you, and the ropes of discord have bound your wrists with lies. You cannot clear the fog! You've been compelled!
My friend, I tell you as I tell myself, in this cold, wintery season, just use your breath to push the fog from in front of you as you whisper the name, "Jesus! Worthy is the lamb who was slain for me! Son of God and Son of man! Jesus!" The darkness begins to lift! Something stirs within you! Do it again! Over and over again! Call upon his name until he answers with a mighty thunder! A thunder of Hope! A hope that begins to unsettle the dust that has been clogging up your chambers. Cry out! Rebuke the wind until it changes from a blustery storm of worry and doubt to a cleansing, summer rain of trust and belief! The darkness has lightened with just this one act. Your senses are changing too, there's a whiff of something sweet like the Lily of the Valley! The stench of bitterness dissipates as the cracked mortar is being chiseled away and is being filled instead with a sweet, Holy, Spirit!
There is another knock at the door only this time it is soft and inviting and the voice is gentle as it beckons, "Come to me! Open wide the door so that I may come in and abide with you!" The vibration from the comforting voice loosens the sash from about your eyes and unties the rope from around your wrists! You squint and blink in the brightness as your wrists fall loose beside you. It's your choice now, shake off your chains! Breathe in a deep breath and savor the fresh air of forgiveness! Let the breath of forgiveness dislodge and dispel the dust, the sin, that had enslaved you to darkness. Let your heart beat again!
Stability! Your feet are finding solid ground! The foundation is shifting! The soles of your feet are adjusting to the plush softness of grace and mercy and the joints of your soul are creaking as they burst with relief from the cold, stillness of despair! You're not completely free yet, there's still some work to do! Ah, no need to call a handy man. You have all you need. You have the carpenter of life already within you and he will help you to rebuild your beautiful, shattered temple! It's time now to come out of the corner where you've been hiding. You've made it this far! I know it's been painful and frightening and you're tired of the struggle, but your day of establishment is near!
A moment of indecision, your strength is wavering! Don't give up! Eat from the cookbook of love and drink from the fountain of life till you are full!
It is time now! Throw open the curtains! Let the sun come in so it can warm your heart and lift your spirits! Aahhh! Peace! Let peace release the tightness of the walls that are squeezing your chest like vice grips. Relax! Love is on the way! It's so soothing, like a river running through it! Oh spring, how I've missed you!
Don't be afraid of what's next! It's time to move ahead! The windows have been sealed shut for so long now because of fear, shame and guilt, but that's all gone now! The hinges have been anointed with the oil of joy and the seal of death removed. Rejoice and give thanks! Go ahead, lift them! Lift them high! The warm wind stirs the cool embers of your heart, awakening the gift of life! Your desires and dreams remembered and renewed! There's that enchanting, drawing scent again! The fragrance of Jesus undying love! The Lily of the Valley! It totally encompasses you! It seems you are floating now; you are floating...on the wings of compassion!
What's that sound? Is it the door again? Didn't I answer that already? No, no, not yet. You only heard the voice behind the door. A gentle rapping that again beckons me to answer. I don't tip toe, I don't walk slowly, I run without haste and I throw open the heavy door of insecurity! There he stands, so beautiful, with his arms stretch out before him! "Come to me!" Jesus! It's you! I leap into his embrace! You came for me! I was so scared and alone! "My child, do not be afraid! You were never alone! I have always been here, I will never leave you nor forsake you! You just couldn't hear me because you allowed the other voices to crowd your mind with their lies and empty promises! You were confused by the one who crouches around like a lion seeking to devour you. He came to steal, kill and destroy you, but I have fought for you! You are safe with me, for I have come that you may have joy and fullness of life! I am here now, rest your weary head! You have opened your eyes and unclogged your ears! You have been made new! Shiny like the stars and your scent once again is of the fragrance of Christ. You are a fragrant, beautiful offering to God! In you am well pleased! Go now and tell others what you've been through and what I have done for you! Share the good news! Give of the compassions that have been shown towards you!
You are mine! I have chosen you, my Wildflower, the most beautiful in all the fields! My most delightful piece of pottery! What a beautiful mosaic you are!
When it seems that all hope is gone reach out to the one hope, Jesus, who will always help you to press on!
In the wine of HIS blood
Stephanie Goode
