You scared the heck out of me
Have you ever had someone standing right behind you, waiting for you to turn around and notice? Perhaps you heard them approach and pretended not to so that you would have the satisfaction of turning with a knowing smile, winning the little game of surprise. Maybe you had no idea they were there and when you turned, you yelped in fright, swatting at them saying, you scared the heck out of me!
Not a soul in sight
It is 12 a.m. You walk the strip, passing closed signs in store windows. The street lights are on. You walk in and out of their glow, dark shadows moving with you. There are gaps between buildings and a large one opens up on your right. There is a pull to go into the tunnel like opening but you resist, keeping your pace. Light, dark, light, dark. You travel between the two as you pass under one, then another, looming high above you street lamp. You hear a sound, alerted to the possibility that you have company. Looking around, you see the main street and side alley ways remain deserted. Not a soul in sight. Upon looking up, you notice: just ahead, across the street, another large opening. It feels intriguing, irresistible. Without forethought, you have crossed the street diagonally. Compelled, it appears that your feet have taken over, transporting you to the opening. Anticipation is building.
Narrowing your vision does not help
What will you encounter there? This feels important, big, tantalizing. It feels like whatever is in that alley way will change your world, your life as you know it, forever. In an instant, you have reached your destination. You stand in front of the opening, poised, ready to enter. Hesitant, you search in the dim light for objects and movement, an understanding of what this particular alley way contains. You squint. Narrowing your vision does not help. The alley way is as black as pitch. In your moment of observation, you are overwhelmed with the sense that one step into this darken space will be one step too many. Suddenly, the thought of entering is unspeakable, impossible, unfathomable.
Enter, you coward
You hear a whisper, Do Not Enter. What, what was that? Just seconds ago, the pull was so great. There is a left over feeling of compulsion that lingers still, to enter. Enter, go in you coward. You startle. This idea came unbidden, a thought apparition. Coward? Am I a coward if I do not enter? This question is baffling. Transfixed, you feel goaded and fear filled in the same moment. What is happening? What am I hearing, you wonder? Slowly, there is a dawning.
They have been keeping pace with you
You cannot see, but they are there. You cannot make out the shapes or the lips that speak but you can hear. They have been following closely, in front, in behind, on either side, keeping pace with you or running ahead. All around you, never leaving you. The Light, the dark, weaving in and out of your awareness, your knowing. One warns, another goads, coward. Coward.
"Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go" (Joshua 1:7-9).
He, dear reader, promises to be with you, wherever you go, when you obey. To the left, I will not go. To the right, I will not go...
Have you ever had someone standing right behind you, waiting for you to turn around and notice? Perhaps you heard them approach and pretended not to so that you would have the satisfaction of turning with a knowing smile, winning the little game of surprise. Maybe you had no idea they were there and when you turned, you yelped in fright, swatting at them saying, you scared the heck out of me!
Not a soul in sight
It is 12 a.m. You walk the strip, passing closed signs in store windows. The street lights are on. You walk in and out of their glow, dark shadows moving with you. There are gaps between buildings and a large one opens up on your right. There is a pull to go into the tunnel like opening but you resist, keeping your pace. Light, dark, light, dark. You travel between the two as you pass under one, then another, looming high above you street lamp. You hear a sound, alerted to the possibility that you have company. Looking around, you see the main street and side alley ways remain deserted. Not a soul in sight. Upon looking up, you notice: just ahead, across the street, another large opening. It feels intriguing, irresistible. Without forethought, you have crossed the street diagonally. Compelled, it appears that your feet have taken over, transporting you to the opening. Anticipation is building.
Narrowing your vision does not help
What will you encounter there? This feels important, big, tantalizing. It feels like whatever is in that alley way will change your world, your life as you know it, forever. In an instant, you have reached your destination. You stand in front of the opening, poised, ready to enter. Hesitant, you search in the dim light for objects and movement, an understanding of what this particular alley way contains. You squint. Narrowing your vision does not help. The alley way is as black as pitch. In your moment of observation, you are overwhelmed with the sense that one step into this darken space will be one step too many. Suddenly, the thought of entering is unspeakable, impossible, unfathomable.
Enter, you coward
You hear a whisper, Do Not Enter. What, what was that? Just seconds ago, the pull was so great. There is a left over feeling of compulsion that lingers still, to enter. Enter, go in you coward. You startle. This idea came unbidden, a thought apparition. Coward? Am I a coward if I do not enter? This question is baffling. Transfixed, you feel goaded and fear filled in the same moment. What is happening? What am I hearing, you wonder? Slowly, there is a dawning.
They have been keeping pace with you
 |
| They are there |
"Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go" (Joshua 1:7-9).
He, dear reader, promises to be with you, wherever you go, when you obey. To the left, I will not go. To the right, I will not go...
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