On our way to Freedom!
“WHOAA!!!” I yell as I scoot back as far as I can. As soon as my brain catches up with what my eyes are perceiving I feel suddenly not as confident as before I sat down. I try to take a deep breath as I sit here, but I can’t seem to get any amount of oxygen in. Just then I hear him off to my right.
“Lewis, how are you, my friend?”
“Uh, I’ve been better,” I say as my voice trembles.
“Lewis are you scared of heights?”
“More like terrified,” I say still looking out in front of me.
“Oh my, then why are you so close to the edge?” He says laughing.
“Very funny, how do I get off of here?”
“Well, there are a couple of ways, but which would you prefer?”
“Um, the one that keeps me alive and not falling, and is really quick,” I respond through short and quick breaths.
“Hahaha Lewis, even when you’re scared you are still really funny. I love that about you,” he says as he walks across a very narrow path toward me. “Here let me help you up.”
“Ok, yeah, that’s good,” I say as I take his hands and allow him to pull me to my feet. “Where do we go now?”
“Before we go anywhere you’ve gotta calm down, you’ll get yourself killed out here like that.”
“Ok, how do I do that?” I say still holding onto all the panic as I gaze out over the expanse that falls suddenly past my feet.
“Well for starters, stop looking at all the things that are making you like that.”
“Oh yeah, ok, that’s good,” I say short of breath.
“Now Lewis, look at me.”
As my eyes meet his, I’m met with a confidence, unlike anything I’ve experienced before. I finally am able to take a deep breath that comes out so naturally. I feel the wind blowing against me and it feels refreshing instead of terrifying. It is as if he is more stable than even the mountain under my feet and with my hands in his and my eyes locked on him, fear vanishes.
“Now, follow me, Lewis,” he says as he turns and walks on the narrow path that he came from.
We walk for a little while when I realize I’m carrying a backpack that feels pretty heavy. The trail finally opens up and gives us more breathing room than before. He stops until I am beside him and then we continue walking side by side.
“Where are we Ammoris?”
“We are on our way to your freedom.”
For some of us, the first part of this story is our reality right now, and it is terrifying. And if that is the case, there is no shame in this, because it also means that the last line of this excerpt is also what is taking place.
We must keep our eyes on Jesus at all cost, and when they begin to again get led to what’s around us, we must focus again. How we do this will look different for all of us, but ultimately, it is the practice of love that keeps us engaged. When you love someone you want to be near them. So, find out this week what it is that helps you be near to Jesus, and then continually do that. Don’t wait for the moments when fear is overtaking you. Do it continually in and out of your need, that way when the fear begins to rise up, you will be ready for it.
This excerpt is from my newest book called, ‘Before the Clock Ticks.’ We are so close to releasing it, and I cannot wait to share it with you!
Remember who Jesus says you are and live from that this week!
stephen