03/08/2004: "Jackal"

Once there was a Jackal. He was an evil animal that sought out the dead and the dying, the wounded and the lost, the weak and the lonely. When he found them he would crush them and devour them. He would laugh at them as they struggled, just waiting for the right opportunity for the kill.

He scavenged the dark valley often venturing high into the hills. Then he came to the great high mountain. Oh this was the perfect place to hunt, for the paths were treacherous and full of great dangers. He would search for climbers that were weak or fallen. But he did not find as many along the way as he had thought, so he ventured to the steep snowy peaks knowing the cold would surely offer him more victims.

At the very top of the great high mountain was a beautiful green brightly lit plateau. There were many there warming in the light. Here, they were renewed and strengthened. He would seek for new arrivals that were yet weak. That would make them easy prey. But he did not know that the plateau is a protected place. One of the protectors saw him as he sought to enter the light.

“How is it that you have come here?” said the protector. “It is not permitted.” And with that the protector threw him from the mountain back into the depths of the dark valley below where he belonged.

Once the ones on the plateau had been strengthened they were taken to another part of the plateau where there is a training center. The training center has many hard obstacles to overcome. One of the people that had just made it to the plateau and rested came to the protector. “Why was I brought to this training center?” he asked. “I have endured many great hardships, often putting the very essence of my life in danger just to come here and now am I to endure more pain and obstacles. Why? Just so I can help others? That’s not fair.”

The protector answered, “Helping others is just a by product of walking in life and willingness. The true purpose for being here is to save you from the death you carry in you.” The protector took him by the hand and began to pull him down the mountain back into the dangerous darkness.

“Wait,” the man cried, “What are you doing? Where are you taking me? I just got here.”

“You must go back to the bottom of the mountain until you are willing to obey without questioning.” The Protector said. “Those who question cannot remain. Perhaps you will survive long enough to return and maybe then you will be willing to obey without question. Why, is the one question you cannot proceed with.” And so whining and complaining the man was removed.

The protector then went for the next person. It was a woman and she was very nervous about the whole thing. Instinctively she pulled back from the protector’s hand. He stood still waiting patiently. “Will you come with me?” the protector asked.

“I am afraid.” Said the woman ashamed of the fact but knowing she must be honest.

“I know.” Said the protector, “But are you willing?” he asked still holding out his hand.

“I want to I just don’t know if I can. I don’t think I can make it. What if I fail?” Said the woman sadly.

“Yes,” said the protector, “but are you willing?”

“Yes,” said the woman, “I am willing to at least try. But look at that first wall. I can’t even climb that. There’s no way I can make it over that wall.”

“Are you willing to try?” The protector asked

“Yes,” said the woman, “I can at least try.”

To her surprise the protector lifted her up and helped her over the wall. He laughed and said, “As long as you are willing, I can help you through but you must remain willing.”

A young man was just finishing the obstacle course. “Finally I have finished,” said the young man to the protector that had been his guide and helper. “I don’t know why the Lord put me through all those tests and trials but I have finally made it through.”

The protector looked at him with a quizzical look. “It amazes me how you look at these things,” he said. “Some people come to the obstacles and say it is “not fair” after all I have gone through to get here and now I must suffer more, the loss of a loved one, unfair opposition, unfair lack or need. These people are removed for a space until they are willing to continue without question. Often they grow angry and resentful of the obstacles, blaming other people, the devil, and even God. Some never return, some camp in the middle of the obstacles. Very few make it through as you have.”

“What they do not see,” said the protector, “is they are the obstacles, their pride, their anger, their hurt, their shakable- ness, their becoming offended and much more. The Lord is really not taking them through unfair obstacles but through the death that comes from self. At each obstacle they must lay down a piece of their life that is dead and rotting and replace it with a piece of the Lord’s life. The rotting dead flesh un-removed would slowly affect their entire life, rotting the life that they do have, and they would eventually die.”

“Sometimes they linger at an obstacle,” said the protector, “until they are sorely ill and must return to the place of restoration and strength to survive. But those that continue laying down the death they have carried in exchange for the life of the Lord, without questioning, will be delivered from death and enter into life with the Lord. A new place of great joy and great reward that they cannot see from where they are. There they are free from attack, free from death, free from self and can truly enjoy the life the Lord has given them.”

“So it is not actually a training center,” said the protector, “but a rescue center. It is a place where people are birthed into a whole new life for those who are willing. Now you will continue to the protected place to know the Savior face to face.”

The protector pointed to a door and walked away. The man opened the door and walked through. There was only a small space beyond the door and then there was another door. It was very light in there. “What do I do?” asked the man.
“Grow accustomed to this light?” The Lord said, “Then I will direct you when it is time to go through the next door. There are seven doors.”

“How long will this take?” the man asked, “I thought I was through the obstacle course and ready to enter into the glory of the Lord.”

“Yes,” the Lord replied, “But there are yet six of the seven doors to go through. You must grow accustomed to the light. Are you willing?”

“Yes,” the man said, “I am willing.”

With each door the light grew brighter. It was actually a little scary. It finally became so bright that the man couldn’t see At the time to go through the next door he had to feel around for the handle.

The light became so bright it could be felt. It was as though it went straight through him, purifying and refining him. Finally it was time for the last door. These doors had taken some time and the man was anxious to see what was next. He went through the door. The light was so bright he couldn’t bear to open his eyes; his skin tingled and burned from the glow.

“You will grow accustomed to the light.” The Lord said.

“Lord?” the man asked, “Is that you?”

“Yes.” Said the Lord. “Just be patient.”

It seemed to take such a long time to be able to even keep his eyes opened. Then it took much longer for his eyes to adjust to the light. Finally he could see. There was the Lord standing just in front of him. Wow!

“Come,” said the Lord, “Lift this boulder and bring it to me.”

The man looked at the boulder. It was as big as a car. The man looked at the Lord again to see if he were joking. Surely he did not expect him to pick up this giant boulder. “Lord,” the man said, “It is too big for me to pick up.”

“Are you willing?” the Lord asked.
“Sure,” said the man, “It can’t hurt to at least try.” He walked over to the boulder and much to his surprise he was able to pick it up with one hand and bring it to the Lord with ease. He set it down in front of the Lord but still there was the question.

“How did I do that?” the man asked, “What does it mean?”

The Lord smiled, “Before when you were still struggling with self, you would pray and diligently seek Me to find out where my hand was so you could put your hand there as well and I would honor it. But now that you have died to self I can trust you. Wherever you put your hand I now put my hand.”

The man was amazed and grateful. The Lord had brought him through so much of himself, adapted him to his way and his light and now the Lord trusted him. He would be eternally grateful, all because he was willing.

There is only one question to ask. Are “you” willing?