SOMEONE ASKED
It is my song, you see. It is the music that sweetens and filters everything, transforming what could be dreary drudgery into dance. It’s the flute behind the unsettling curtain of night drawing me towards its melodic Home whenever I am blinded by exhaustion or emotion. It is the soundtrack of Heaven accompanying the scenes of my days and years, weaving together an epic story from the mundane.
It is literally my life, my breath. That taste of bloody acid in my mouth when circumstances kick me in the gut and my throat is raw and my ears explode from the pressure and aaugh!!! That pain’s emergency care is always only the breath of His Word; whether brought to me by friends, memory, or feverish fumbling through the Bible, this cool, minty truth breathed into my soul passes through my diaphragm and reaches the cramped-up core – easing ~ exhaling – aahhh. Slowly, systematically, until body and soul rest again in His Spirit’s peace…
It is fire, warming me from the inside, more invigorating and comforting than even the sweetest affection from outside. Without this internal flame, the kindness of others sinks like pebbles into a bottomless pit, and it is never enough. I get cold so quickly. Human sparks remind me of the Fire living inside of me, but they are not that eternal Flame. Burning away the dross of excuses and defenses, this blaze reduces to ashes the impurities that would weaken or compromise what I am miraculously becoming in His hands – gold reflecting Him.
While all the historic evidence, scientific discoveries, and educated apologetics entice me to investigate and articulate, my soul erupted instead in this praise, this cry, this creed from created to Creator. THIS is what the Bible means to me.
Countless have died defending it. Always, in authoritarian societies, THIS is the Word they attempt to silence. And yet, it has never been done. From ancient Roman arenas to contemporary labor camps and prisons around the world, the lives of tortured Christians have flung this freedom cry from God through time and space, not coincidentally reaching its deepest and most unabashed reception in countries with the most censorship. A free spirit cannot be controlled. A free people cannot be chained, no matter the human regulations and punishments.
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” ~ John 8:36
www.persecution.com
“The Lord is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation;”
~ Exodus 15:2a
“The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” ~ Job 33:4
“You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem! ’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.” ~ 2 Chronicles 20:17