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simar@tds.net
It’s an uphill climb but finally I stand on Mount Pisgah’s highest point, the place where Moses once looked over into the Promised Land. The master’s voice had urged me to this place and I wonder the purpose. What is the meaning?
Reading my thoughts, the Master answers, “This is your destiny and purpose on earth—not the place I have prepared for you in the next world, but this place and time.”
The mists are gone, the veil is lifted from my eyes and I see in clarity the path before me. I peer ahead to the Jordan River and spy the Promised Land gleaming in the hot desert sun, glowing in the reflection of the Master’s promise to me.
My vision knows no limits. I clearly see the blessings along the way, the joys awaiting me, and the fulfillment of His words within my grasp.
From my perch I watch farmers tending their crops, bagging grain, plucking the grapes. I see what will be mine if I go forward in obedience. The fruit is magnificent, the harvest prosperous. I watch the laborers bend beneath the weight of their tasks. My tongue almost tastes the sweetness of the vineyard. It is all mine if I but enter into my heritage, my destiny.
But then I see them—the giants in the land. They are huge. Overwhelming. Menacing.
How can this be?
I look up at the Master’s face and see only love.
“What did I do wrong?” I am ashamed of my quivering voice. “What sin did I commit to allow the giants access to my destiny?”
“No sin,” He answers with a voice filled with tenderness.
“Can I do it?” My spirit shrivels inside me in terror.
“Not alone,” He says. “I will go with you. One by one they will fall before you until you arrive at your destination and dwell safely in great plenty.”
“Are you sure this is my destiny?”
“This is the dream I dreamed for you from before the beginning.”
The fruit beckons to me. The beauty and grandeur of the Master’s dream calls my name, mesmerizing in its possibilities. But the river is deep and wide, and beyond the river are the giants.
“I’ll go before you and part the waters,” the Master says. “I’ll step with you upon the dry riverbed. I’ll lead you into battle and strike down the giants one by one. We’ll write songs about our victories. I’ll never leave you.”
Fear rises within me and emotions swirl in my thoughts. The fruit, the giants….the fruit, the giants… they battle in my mind already, wrestling for control of my fate.
“But I tell you your greatest test.” With this the Master’s face becomes solemn. “Look and look again. Memorize what you see. For now you see clearly but as you go out in obedience you will see only in part. The mists will rise again from the river. The winds will swirl dust and the hills themselves will block your vision. The veils will fall again. You will be forced to walk by faith.”
“Lord, I’m afraid!”
“Don’t be afraid. I’m showing you now so that you will have a clear picture in your mind. The giants will do all in their power to rob you even of that. I forwarn you so you can be armed for battle.”
The Master turns His gaze upon the far shore of the Jordan River and a beam of sunlight bounces back off the white stones of the riverbank and pierces my chest. Its brilliance is like liquid love pouring from the Master’s eyes. The beauty warms me, cheers me, and strengthens me. It’s as if a holy fire dwells in my heart.
“You must go from this place of insight, this season of clarity, and slog through by faith alone.” The Master’s voice is not unkind, but now business-like and firm. “I’ll be with you but it will be a battle of epic proportions. Are you willing? I force no one to take hold of my promises.”
I put on my breastplate and place the helmet back on my head. I gird my loins and slip into my shoes. I pick up my shield. I’m ready. I take a long last look at the beautiful land before me, the path that winds down the mountain and toward the Jordan River.
Then I reach for my sword.
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all of this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Ephesians 6:13-17NIV
Copyright Candace Simar
