THE ENCOUNTER

 

In the Sacred Journey Part 10, Emotion and Thinker could no longer fulfill their purpose with Soul. Soul was no longer sensitive or attentive to their needs because her focus was on fulfilling the desires of Flesh. The only remedy she proposed to Emotion and Thinker’s painful dilemma was to read and practice the strategies that Flesh taught them. The problem was, Flesh’s strategies did not remedy their problems, only covered them.

 

One wet and dreary evening as the rug merchant was closing his booth for the day, Soul stopped 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 formulated for my elder brother Grace, and he shared his perfume with us? Please tell us where you got it?” The merchant, filled with excitement said, “Your brother, uncle, and sister live with me at my home, outside the city center. Come, let me show you where they are!” Will 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 could not sleep, eat, I did not want to be around people. I was 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. 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, did not believe the merchant, so he followed at a distance as they went to the merchant’s house. 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 of joy filled the atmosphere as the siblings shared their difficulties living in ‘The World’ with their family members. It was a joyous occasion! Then, an abrupt knock at the door. “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. What will the siblings do now since they have disobeyed the commands of Evil One and Flesh?

 

THE GIFT of TRUST: 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.  Soul, Emotion, and Thinker heard him and believed the story and evidence presented to them. However, Will, did not move beyond his doubts and fears to trust the evidence presented to him. Will, was more interested in pleasing Flesh, believing a lie rather than believing the Truth. How often do we do the same? People can share their encounters of walking hand in hand with their Lord and Father, yet we do not believe the 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. We must become as a little child because the Sacred Journey is all about TRUST. WILL I TRUST MY HOLY, GOOD, AND PERFECT FATHER….NO MATTER WHAT?

 

 

Prayer: Papa, every day you give us opportunities to know you, to trust you, and to encounter you, but we do not believe you are interested in our little challenges in life. Even though your Word tells us, and people around us tell us you are here and care so much for us, still we do not believe them. Papa, thank you because even when we don’t trust you, we can turn to our Lord Jesus within us who has ALL faith and ALL TRUST and He WILL carry us through each trial and circumstance, as we choose to depend on Him. AMEN