The Pit

You walked to the edge and looked in. The promise of the ride of your life stared back at you. The promise of a happily ever after lured you in. You didn’t even think about it. You didn’t look where you were going. You just jumped. Feet first without looking back. We were there, watching you leave us.

The pit was so cleverly disguised with pretty flowers and butterflies. You were immediately blinded by the vivid colors, sweet aromas and the songs that must have been sung by an angel. Spellbound by the magic, you let yourself go. You let yourself fall.

You never even saw the muck and mire that held your feet fast, ever so slowly sucking you deeply into the depths. You ignored the snakes slithering around your ankles. What beauty, what love, what joy surrounded you. It’s all you could see. He laughs hysterically. He dances the devil’s dance. He knows he has you. As your feet sink deeper and deeper and the snakes strike at your legs you still choose to be blinded.

The young ones stand at the edge watching you. They are confused for they see the flowers but they also sense the snakes. They can’t understand why you jumped so carelessly. Why you didn’t consider them before you leapt. But I know. You’ve done it before.

Jumping looked like the easy way out. The disguise looked different from times past. Actually, he was really very, very clever this time, using your spiritual climb as a weapon in the form of an invitation. But the result is the same. You are trapped. Deep in a pit with the appearance of a heavenly place. After all, he doesn’t want you to figure it out until it’s too late.

Will it be too late for you this time? Will the muck and mire reach your mouth and nose before you realize where you really are? Will the snakes strike at your face, squeeze the very breath out of you, choke you before you begin the fight for your life? Will you fight for you life?

The young ones feel desperate to reach you. They wonder what they did wrong to make you turn away from them. They are torn between reaching their hands down to you in an effort to pull you out but also with the risk that they will be pulled in with you, and watching from the edge, hoping and praying you will just look up and see them. See the hurt in their eyes of feeling abandoned. See their need for your love and guidance and full attention. They aren’t ready to get up and walk away from the edge. They can’t follow me just yet.

Too many times have I been pulled down into that despicable pit with you. Too many times have I sat crying on the edge for you. Desperate for you to see me. Desperate for you to grab my hand so I could pull you to safety. The snakes have bitten my ankles, my legs, my torso. The mud has reached a dangerously high level on my body. I’ve always managed to scramble out. But the fight to freedom is never easy. What may have looked like an easy way out became a fight for my life.

Not this time. Not anymore. This is your fight now. When and if you choose to see the truth, my hand will not be there for you to grasp onto. I’m choosing the difficult path. The one that offers the greatest reward. It’s by far not easy. It’s by far one of the most treacherous and dangerous climbs possible. The risks are high. But I never travel it alone. Never!

As I travel this path, I know there will be times when I am exhausted, weary and worn down from the climb. The way will seem impossible at times, a sheer cliff before me with no hand holds. I might break down, give way to despair, beg to just give up. But He will be there for me. He will hold me as I rest. He will carry me to the top of the cliff. He will encourage me onward. And the vistas along the way, the incredible, breathtaking views of His glory will make every difficult step along the way worthwhile. And eventually, when the time is right, we will reach the top together. My ultimate reward will be waiting there for me. One I can’t even imagine. Greater than my mind is capable of thinking. More wonderful than my wildest dreams. He will bid me in. And I will go with Him.

Oh, how I wanted to make the climb with you. How I wanted to share the beautiful views with the one I so loved. But it’s time to make the journey alone now. I can’t wait any longer. He’s calling my name. I must go with Him.