For those of you who have been following Much-Afraid, I hate to tell you that her troubles just kept coming. She was met on the old Sea Wall with her challengers, but her companions held her hand and hope helped when she was met by her old enemy Bitterness. And once again, the Shepherd intervened. And she built another altar in remembrance.
Going on ahead, Much-Afraid and her companions saw a causeway by the sea, separating the sea from a well-wooded land of hills and valleys with cottages and farms, orchards and fields. The sun was up, brilliant, and up on the wall she could feel the full force of the wind. It tore at her hair and clothes, nearly toppling her, but she shouted out, "My head shall be lifted up above my enemies; therefore I will sing praises to the Lord. Yes, I will offer sacrifices of joy and will praise the Name of the Lord." (Psalm 27:6) And as she sang, she thought, "It must be perfectly dreadful to be an enemy of the Shepherd. Always, their prey would be snatched away!" And, of course, she picked up another stone for her bag.
Spring was just bursting everywhere in the hills. Between the trees there were glades of bluebells, anemones, violets, primroses growing in clumps along mossy banks. And the birds sang, calling to one another, absorbed in nest-building. Everywhere she looked, winter had gone. Everything seemed to be saying, "The delay of winter to spring was not unto death but for the Glory of God." And there was stirring in her own heart, the feeling so sweet, yet mixed with pain which made her wonder which predominated. At one point, she saw a mass of leaves, and at the end of the stem a little swelling appeared, which could prove to be a bud, she thought. Then, she wondered if there might be a bud of Love now in her own heart. A stab of fear went through her, "Would her bud ever become a blossom?" The thought made tears fall, once again.
She did not weep for long, for at once she caught sight of something else--a gleam of gold. It was a golden replica of the little golden flower which she had found growing in the desert, just like the one she hoped would grow in her heart. She made an altar and placed the little golden heart upon it. As it burned, it was as though a spark from its flame had entered her own heart, and was still glowing there,, warm and radiant. She picked up another stone for her bag from this very place, her heart full.
Going on their way, in a very short time they came to the edge of the wood and she felt a rush of joy, for who should be standing thee, waiting to meet them, but the Shepherd. She ran to him, joyous from head to toe and cried out, "Oh, welcome, Shepherd. I am afraid there is nothing much to show you in my heart yet, but all there is, is yours to do with as you please." The Shepherd spoke quickly, I have a message, 'You are to be ready, Much-Afraid, for something new. 'Now shalt thou see what I will do.'" "Am I going to the High Places," she asked in hopeful joy. "Yes," he said, with a strange smile. For he knew her difficulties had only begun. (End of today's section of Hannah Hurnard's story)
I am rather glad that we have normal pain and difficulties, and not Much-Afraid's problems. I do have the same enemies, but they are not named. I have to name them myself, but after so many years it is not as difficult as it used to be. Pride and Envy? Yes, I have known them. And many of the others, too. But sometimes each one wears a little bit different "hat" and it takes time to see them for themselves. Yes, they like to come in costume and parade around, until I smarten up and kick them out.
I hope you are having the best of days. God be with you, raining or shining.
Jo INMN
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