THE ENCOUNTER

 

In the Sacred Journey Part 10, Emotion and Thinker lost their purpose with Soul. Soul was no longer sensitive to their needs but was focused on fulfilling the dictates and needs of Flesh. The only remedy she proposed to Emotion and Thinker’s painful dilemmas were to read and practice the strategies that Flesh taught them. However, Flesh’s strategies did not remedy their problems, only covered them.

 

One wet and dreary evening as the merchant was closing his booth for the day, Soul walked by, along with Emotion, Thinker, and Will. “Hello sir, is it too late to buy items from your booth?”  Soul asked. The merchant replied, “No, please step up; what do you want to buy?” As Soul touched the silk rug stitched with gold and shiny red threads her hand knocked over a bottle of Rose of Sharon perfume. When it fell to the ground and broke, the aroma from the bottle permeated the booth. Emotion screamed, “Home! Home! That fragrance reminds me of Home!” Thinker asked, “Do you smell the fragrance of my Elder brother Grace? That is the fragrance he always wore!” Soul inquired, “Sir where did you get that fragrance? Rose of Sharon is the fragrance my father made for my elder brother Grace, and he shared this perfume with us? Please tell us where you got it?” The merchant, filled with excitement said, “Your brother, uncle, and sister lives with me at my home, outside the city center. Come, let me show you where they are!” Will stopped them and said, “No, we can’t go outside the city. Flesh and Evil One have forbidden us to do so! Do you believe such lies? Our family is not here. Our father will not allow our brother or uncle to come to this place. Besides, our sister, Spirit, is sleeping in the woods where we left her years ago, she is not at his house.” The merchant said, “You must believe me! I bought four bottles of this perfume from them when they first arrived into our city. Your family has changed my life!” He continued, “I use to be depressed, angry, lonely, and full of anxiety, but since I used this amazing perfume and spent time with your family, I have never been the same! I have never experienced such peace, joy, and now, I know, I am loved and my life has meaning. Please come to my house and see for yourself.” Soul told Will, “We must take a chance because Emotion and Thinker have been sick with depression and overwhelmed by fear; we must help them!” Will said no, but lagged behind. Soul, Emotion, and Thinker, along with the merchant, left the booth to go to the merchant’s home. As they strolled through the streets of the city, they entered through the doors of the little house at the edge of the city and there sat reclining on the sofa were Grace, Uncle Truth, and Spirit. As the door opened, the fragrance of their presence ushered the siblings into the living room where they sat. “Grace, Uncle Truth, Spirit, you are here! You are here!” cried the siblings. “Spirit, you are alive, you are not sleeping anymore!” said Emotion. In the little house, excitement, laughter, and tears as the siblings shared their adventures living in ‘The World’ with their family members. It was a joyous occasion! Then, a loud voice came from outside. “Soul, Emotion, Thinker, Will! What are you doing in there? How come you are not at home with our family? My father Evil One is looking for you! Open this door!” yelled Flesh.

 

 

THE GIFT of FAITH: The merchant in our story shared his experiences with Soul, Emotion, Thinker, and Will, about his encounter with their family. He told them where he got the perfume and the amazing impact and changes he experienced because of it. The siblings heard the story and saw the evidence presented to them. Will did not have the faith to move beyond his doubts and fears to trust the evidence that was right in front of his face. How often do we do the same? People can share how their encounters of walking hand and hand with their Lord and Father, yet we do not believe that same relationship they have is for us. We miss out on the beautiful journey of life to walk and talk with our Father, and to hear his heart and to interact with him in every situation that impacts our lives.

 

Prayer: Papa, every day you give us opportunities to know you, to see you, and to encounter you, but we do not believe that you are interested in our little challenges in life. Even though your Word tells us, and people around us tell us that you are here and care so much for us, still we do not believe it. Papa, thank you that when we have little faith, we can turn to our Lord Jesus who has ALL faith and He will work in and through us the will and the ‘do’ of your good pleasure. AMEN