The minute dusk began to give way to night, I realized I was standing alone. Knowing this is not where I was supposed to be, I turned and I ran. Through the darkness of the forest, whispers of defeat were like claps of thunder, rattling in my head. Stumbling over roots of despair, branches of fear were wrapping themselves up in my hair. The prowling shadows were sneering at me as a snake, who slithered down the bark, began to wrap himself around my throat–constricting, tighter and tighter, cutting off my oxygen. I could feel the darkness closing in on me, laughing at my pathetic attempts to escape. But I’ve been in this forest before, and I knew if I was to live, I had be willing to die fighting.
Drawing my sword from its scabbard, I slashed at the entanglements of the snare that had me bound. I cinched my belt tightly around my core and lifted my shield. Quickly my footfalls beat the mulch in the wood and I scurried toward the place I knew so well. Suddenly, the ground began to shake and the earth cracked, throwing me back. Rising up from the depths of my foundation was a mountain so high, I couldn’t imagine how it had remained hidden for so long. Staring up at this barrier I had to decide, would I give up and turn back or overcome Mount Pride?
Badly beaten and tired from the battle, I lowered my gaze for only a moment…not in defeat, but in holy reverence. I had journeyed so far away from home, unsure of how long ago I decided to walk alone. I left my Friend along the way, not even realizing I dropped Him off. I thought I knew the way of the road I was to travel. Now I realize, I was wrong. I had no sense of direction without Him. Tears rolled down my cheeks as I whispered, “I’m so sorry I left you, my Friend.” And just like that, He was there.
I looked at Him so thankful, still I and asked, “Can we just go around?” He looked back at me at smiled. Then He held out His hand and we stepped toward the mountain together. He went first and showed me, “Grab hold of this Rock, Don’t let go of this Vine.” And in this manner, we climbed, one obstacle at a time. It wasn’t an easy ascent. I felt unsure many times as to whether or not I was strong enough to make it. But He kept reassuring me and showing me the way, and I kept on believing Him and following the trail He was blazing.
Then, somewhere along the way, as we traveled hand-in-hand, I suddenly realized I was home again. Home wasn’t necessarily found upon exiting the forest or even getting to the other side of the mountain…Home was a Secret Place found within the journey I was taking with Him and I never want to leave Home again.
220 Gal 