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From Darkness into Light
By Larry McCrea
Click here if you'd like to exchange critiques
shadowgold@tds.net ('larry mccrea')
Suddenly awakened by a lingering cold sweat, rippling chills ran through my
body. Attempts to clear my mind of the apparition were futile, but
everything in the room was untouched. Clothes I had thrown on the floor the
night before were still in their place, but a temporary deviation in thought
would not release the haunting. The image so vivid appeared as suspended
flowing water, laced with violating and ruthless intent, its tentacles of
darkness spuing judgmental poison with every flit of my gaze in any
direction. A contemplating message of things to come, an unfriendly reminder
that we are never alone. The private inner domain of my faith, violated
without even the slightest consideration for the sanctity of my God given
right of free will.
"Who are you, that your intimidation naturally spawns an awakening of my
imperfect self?" I asked.
"What are you, that the natural imposition of your will would tear through
the personally locked fibers of my being attempting to take over that which
you are not entitled?" I asked.
"Why are you, since the corridors of my spirit are guarded by Holy Law and
denied to your appetite for sinful domination," I asked.
"But you are still here, probing and unrelenting. Flee me before I am
curiously left to dwell upon that which I have chosen to avoid at all costs
. The vividness of your invasion lingers as the barriers of my strength are
overcome with the seeping nausea of your persistence," I said.
The Dream
It was not just any green pasture with butterflies and swaying poppies, but
a place of mystique, unfamiliar except in a dream. A forgotten event of
childhood that brought screams from a sudden awakening from the darkness
into the light. The fragrance of the air was sweet, subtly alluring, but a
bitter-sweetness turned my head in the direction of its origin. Beyond the
silent, distant peak, a storm, telegraphing its approach with gentle,
alluring apprehension attempted to draw my attention with its silent,
golden, narrow streaks of lacy light.
The spring flowers of the rolling hills were so beautiful and in full bloom.
The reflection of my smile and obvious excitement of natural security and
serenity shone in the crystal clear mountain brook; its many illusive
wonders attempting to melt away any mental shift in spiritual direction.
I was so full of myself, not just feeling the blessed moment, but basking in
its magical attempt to capture the generosity of my desires. Freedom of the
moment was so explosive and encapsulating, that only the approaching storm
could have dampened the peace of my spirit.
But I did not care about the storm. My fanatical high was not going to be
interrupted by an intruder with God knows what on its mind. I began to run,
stripping off my clothes, feeling like a babe in the woods basking in the
warmth of a rising sun.
Then it happened. The storm suddenly deprived me of my fantasy. Abruptly, it
turned off the sun's gentle massage and moved ever closer. I stopped,
attempting to hold on to my recent feelings of contentment and solidarity.
But its planned invasion was initiated, hovering over me, following with an
undeniable intent to express its earthly revelation. Directly in the center
of its blackness, a separation revealed a sequence of events not welcome or
accepted in my minds eye.
"Who are you, What are you," I asked again, startled, my voice suddenly
optimized to a thunderous level, as though heaven's right to question would
not be denied.
In a cracking, challenging sound of ground lightning, a black, unfamiliar
image rose from the clouds highest peak.
"I am not of your imagination, rather a reality you have chosen to deny. I
am not your God or a Master who would enslave your thoughts and feelings for
the sake of common good," said the Entity. "A name is a name as any other,
yet the fuel that fans my intent was created from the dark side of man's
overpowering desire to know me."
"Then, if you have not come to earth to contribute to our desperate need for
human love and kindness, you are here to frustrate our attempts," I said.
"I see that darkness has become your friend and loneliness seeks a permanent
audience with those who do not understand your Gods' spiritual implications.
But, I am here to clarify my position. Human paradise and peace can only
exist when selfish motivations, needs of the flesh and power bases are
satisfied. The useless attempt of man to withdraw from my generous offer of
self-indulgence should be a sinful conclusion of his stupidity. His
historical, incapable ability to live in peace should have long ago shifted
the balance between good and evil. The portals of opportunity have been many
and the countdown to success, pleasing. I know my limitations, which are
few. The predictability of man's collective weaknesses is the silver bullet
that will penetrate the final barrier leading to my success. My army is
strong and growing. Where will you be when my own judgement day shall find
leaders to carry on that which is surely destined," said Satan.
"If I am the lowliest in God's kingdom, I shall wash the feet of the
holiest. My name shall bear an unwavering precedence as one who was once
lost in your kingdom and escaped with the utterance of a simple prayer
glorifying God's grace and the enduring love of his forgiveness. A miracle,
maybe, but as much a reality as your unwanted presence. God's love is a
divinity that creates a lasting blessing for all who divulge. The love for
evil can only create that which would surely destroy itself through trickery
and unholy deeds. Even you, the master of evil, will one day find the knives
of deception cutting into your lifeline, rendering your existence without
foundation. The ramped disposition of your intent is only a temporary stay,
the likes of which is self-destructive in its own nature. Bask in your power
for now Satan, but never forget that the slow moving stream of the steadfast
Holy is moving in your direction to poison every artery of your wickedness.
The coming of the Lord will be your death," I said.
There was silence as the sun's rays attempted to squeeze through the
crumbling darkness of Satan's inability to respond. It had all been said.
The final words were definitive.
"God's love was, before the beginning, and it will be, after the end."
Author:
Larry Mccrea
