On Redemption

"How should a story end? Is it finally getting answers to all of the burning questions? Is it the completion of one mission and the start of the next? Is it the destruction of the bad guys and the good guys gaining back what was once theirs?"

"I just keep seeing the joy of the Lord all over you. It is like gold shining over your face. Your presence changes the atmosphere because of Christ in you,” the male voice stated. My eyes opened to smile at the young man giving me the prophetic word. Without permission, I pulled him in for a hug and we went back to our dancing."

"A single conversation can change the trajectory of your life. These unplanned conversations spark a light inside to take larger risks than normally taken. I, for one, did not expect this kind of conversation late last summer."

"Jesus reminded me to keep waiting, for the time to meet her would come. And so, I kept waiting."

"The man placed his shoes on the ground next to him and stood up. In amazement, all of us cried with joy about what Jesus had done. A simple act of obedience changed this man forever."

"The conversation felt like fresh rain in the summer heat, reviving all of the vegetation man thought had died. I could not ask for more in a friend than her."

"Thirty years of purity gone. Thirty years of waiting gone. Any dream or vision of her and the kids disappeared."

"In victory, I held the black helmet over my head and with all of my strength hurled it into the abyss. The helmet bounced off the cliff and echoed until the ground shook once more. At the voice’s command, the land to pulled back together. The ground smoothed over as if the earthquake never occurred. Instantly, grass begun to grow over the desert floor and the most beautiful flowers—shades of lavender, rose and teal—grew along the previous fault line. I took a step back to leave, but almost tripped on something beneath my feet. A shiny new helmet waited for me."

I whispered a short prayer, “Jesus, if a man could mismatch any religion they want to satisfy their needs then I can too. Or maybe religion is just make-believe. I don’t want your gifting anymore. I don’t need your Spirit.” In two simple statements, I proclaimed a spiritual detachment from Jesus and His Spirit. Who needed faith anyways?

"A gentle hand slid beneath my head and lifted it upwards. I opened my eyes to see burning flames in the eyes peering down at me. The man placed my helmet back on my head and stated, 'It’s time to get up. We need you.'"