Society of the L.A.M.B.

by DuCharme, Judy;

  “You’re…you’re the wall I keep running into, aren’t you? What…who are you?”

  “Yes, Nathan, I’m the wall. I am a messenger of Jajireh, who loves you.”

  “No, no. I don’t want it. I don’t need it. It’s not true. Besides, follow the logic. If He loved me, my parents wouldn’t have been killed. No, you’re a figment of my imagination. I’m tired, stressed, hungry.”

  “Look at me, Nathan.”

  Nathan fought the urge, tried to look away, tried to bend over so it would be impossible to see but found his head turning toward this amazing being. As his gaze met the being’s eyes, he was astounded as those eyes enlarged and he stood on the lower eyelid and gazed into a whole new world.

  There looking back at him were his parents. “Listen to him, Nathan,” called his father. He appeared just like he did before he died. He actually looked younger. Stocky, like Nathan, his muscles were ripped. He’s in better shape than I am. “Your grandparents told us of Jajireh’s love too, and we scoffed. However, as we fell off the boat, we each called to Jajireh. He heard us and restored us to Him in a second. Listen to Him, Nathan.”

  Nathan’s heart pounded in his ears, and hot tears stung his eyes. He could even smell the sweet fishiness of the ocean as if they were back in Hawaii. But the light shone brighter than Hawaii’s sun.

  “We love you, Nathan,” called Mom. Her voice was happier than Nathan ever remembered it. How is that possible? “Did you hear your dad? We called out to Jajireh, and He restored us that quickly. Be restored. Be strong, Nathan. King Glory has great plans for you.”

  Nathan’s eyes were so welled up with tears that the vision of his parents blurred. He looked again at the shimmery being beckoning him to the boat. This time, he waded in, feeling the chill of the water but noticed it did not bother him. The lake smell of fish and seaweed wafted over him, and he surprised himself by welcoming it and taking in a deep breath. Nathan swung one foot into the boat and then the other. As he took his seat, he felt around inside himself for the fear and could not find it.

  “Why am I no longer afraid?” he asked Jajireh’s messenger.

  “Perfect love casts out fear. Fear has torment, and Jajireh has love. It is written in the Logos.”

  The angel used an oar and pushed off into the water. A slight current caught them, and the angel let them drift. The sky was blue, and seagulls soared high overhead. Nathan relaxed and enjoyed the beauty around him but kept his main attention on the angel.

  “So what must I do to be restored?”

  “Believe in your inner man and speak it out of your mouth.”

  Nathan was about to protest that was too simplistic, too silly, but noticed an inner feeling. It was strange, because he ignored any inner feelings except anger. Now he sensed that even the anger was gone. This feeling was warm, fluttery. This is too foreign, too weird. Nathan’s eyes darted around as he tried to comprehend the newness, the reality he felt within. Maybe I should jump out and run now.

  He looked back up at the angel, his hands gripping the side of the boat. “I…I don’t know what I’m feeling.”

  “That’s your inner man returning to life, Nathan.” The angel’s voice flowed like the current and sounded like the wind. Nathan wasn’t quite sure if he heard it inside himself or with his ears.

  “Whatever it is, I’m okay with it, because I do believe now.” Tears stung his eyes again, but it didn’t make him angry. They almost made him happy—an emotion he hadn’t known since that last day with his parents.

  “Keep aware of your inner man, Nathan. That’s where you’ll hear the Voice. The Voice comes from Jajireh, and He will direct your life and help you keep in line with the Logos.”

  Nathan shouted, “I believe in Jajireh’s love. I believe in King Glory! I’m alive! They’re alive and in me!” Nathan paused and looked around. “That was weird, but it felt good.”

  “That’s life, Nathan. Now the Voice will begin to speak to your inner man, guiding and directing you. Learn to listen and obey the Voice. Your life will often depend on it.”

  Suddenly, Nathan was somber. “I’m in trouble now. I am so deep in trouble.”

  “I will be a protector for you, Nathan, but you must remain a watcher for now. You will become a rescuer of those in the Society of the L.A.M.B. You’ve now experienced Jajireh’s Love and Mercy, the L and the M of LAMB. You need to learn to walk in his Authority and Boldness.”

  “Drew’s on to me, though. The higher-ups are cracking down.”

  “Drew is restored, like you. He was setting you up for me.” The being grinned.

  Nathan chuckled. “Trapped by my own trap.”

  “It happens.”

  The being continued to speak. “Nathan, your name means ‘given, appointed.’ You have been appointed since before time began. You are given to Jajireh. King Glory has given His life that you might be restored. Now you must learn to use the Authority and Boldness by the Love and Mercy you have just received. King Glory is King of the Universe, King over all that is created. He’s the Boss. But He’s put you in charge.”

  “Me?!” Nathan didn’t know whether to throw his arms up in victory or jump overboard to escape. Ripples traveled through the angel. Nathan wondered if he was laughing.

  “All of humankind has been called to be in charge. Each and every person is to rule on this earth with His Love, Authority, Mercy, and Boldness. As you can understand, the evil Twisted One has deceived the creation and influenced man to make a royal mess of things.”

  “And man sure has made a mess.” Nathan shook his head. He noticed they were still floating along a light current not far from shore. The ripples he’d seen in the angel were now all along the surface of the water. The air was as fresh as he had ever remembered. He took another deep breath as he watched a seagull dive for a fish and felt the warmth of the sun on his back.

  The angel waited as if enjoying the beauty of the scene with Nathan. “Now the inner man of others must be restored, and you must use Jajireh’s principles to help bring it about.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “Authority is something you have now that you are restored. It is not earned, but bestowed. However, you must let the Voice within guide you so you learn to operate correctly and bring about the purposes and plans of Jajireh. You must learn the shout.”

  “The shout?”

  “Just as you shouted, ‘I believe!’ you must shout the victory, the purposes, and the plans of Jajireh.”

  Nathan looked straight at the angel. “I’ll try it, but I’ll be dead really quickly. All the watchers will hear me. And they will kill me.”

  “You will shout within yourself, Nathan. The watchers cannot hear you, but all of the spirit world will hear you. The Twisted One trembles and flees, while we, messengers of Jajireh, rejoice and come to help bring it to pass. If you are discouraged, shout the truth. You may be frightened or defeated, but the truth is that you can do all things through King Glory. You are complete in Him, His peace is in you, and fear is removed from you. It is all in the Logos, and the Voice will remind you and prompt you toward doing His purpose. There is more to learn. Drew and Josiah will help you, even Lily. Remember to be bold.”

  * * *

  When the visitation ended, Nathan was sitting on his bed. The messenger, the boat, and the water were all gone.

  “So real,” said Nathan aloud, looking around. “Was it a dream?” He looked down. His boots were wet and sand-covered. “Whoa. Okay, what just happened? Oh, no, I got restored.” He put his face in his hands. “It can’t be. What’ll I do?”

  He got up and gazed in the mirror, expecting to see the usual drawn, tired face now twisted with fear. Instead, his eyes sparkled. His skin almost shone with life. He took a step back, nervously realizing that new life, inner man life, was evident in his face and eyes. “Well, you sure look better, but it’s a death sentence. What will I do now?”

  “See who’s at the door,” the Voice inside whispered.

&nbs
p; Nathan went to the door and opened it. Drew was standing there, about to knock and looking rather nervous.

  “Drew, get in here.”

  Drew looked perplexed.

  “You alone?” Nathan growled and peered around outside. “You set me up, bud.” Nathan laughed as he shut the door behind Drew. “We both could’ve hauled each other in. But now we’re both inner men. I guess King Glory sent you to help me.”

  “Well, He did,” Drew replied quietly. “I obeyed, but I thought you’d be angry when I showed up at your door. So what happened to you? You were upset with me when you left.”

  “Oh, you’re not going to believe it.”

  “Try me.”

  Nathan related the whole passage of events with the messenger as Drew listened in amazement.

  * * *

  The surface of the water was the seat of the chair, and the ground was somewhere in the depths. The angels sat in a circle on the sea.

  “So Shimmery One.” SheMah smiled as he spoke to Halal.

  “Well, it’s their perspective. It’s how they see me.” Halal was not offended.

  “You’ve had successful visitations.” SheMah leaned forward, eager to hear each one’s stories. Over his shoulder, the others could see bright blue waterfalls that began in the canopy of sky and flowed to an invisible river. The rumble of the falls was a distant drum that beat in time to music of birds gliding above and around them all.

  “I’m amazed at how receptive and teachable they are, all praise to the Wonderful Great One. What a Creator! These humans fascinate me.”

  “They are certainly fascinated with us,” added Rinnah. As she shifted her position, ripples ran across the glassy surface of water they sat upon. Every ripple reflected thousands of sparkles as if diamonds had been tossed across a clear table.

  “Our Creator, The Creator, The Great Jajireh has made beautiful beings to be called His sons.” SheMah sighed in admiration.

  “Have you noticed how they marvel and talk about us? They think we are the wonder.” Halal shook his head in amazement.

  “Their capacity to learn is wondrous, but the depth of their love amazes and confounds me.” Rhema gazed into the distance, his eyes as brilliant as the sun.

  “How so?” Halal looked to Rhema.

  “Like this ocean we sit on, they have great depth of spirit.” Rhema plunged his arm down into the water, creating a small whirlpool. “Of course, until restored, they have no real understanding of it. It is so deep, clear, and powerful. A gentle wave can transform the structure of things on the earth.” With the push of his hand, he sent a small tsunami across the surface toward the brilliantly blue waterfalls.

  “When they are passionate in their love, they can move mountains just as a mighty wave can break bridges, buildings, and trees. But so quickly it can turn from clear, calm, and beautiful to murky, turbulent, and deadly when they turn that love to hate, or they cancel out the love and find only fear. They must make so many choices and often find themselves in so much confusion. It baffles me.”

  “You’re right. GREAT has given them the right of choice. It is frightful and devastating when the choice is wrong. But when they choose His love and His way of doing things, it is monumentally beautiful and powerful. He intended that we see the many facets of His love as we watch the creation of men.” SheMah shook his head, and music and colors ran in rivulets down his back and arms, merging with the diamond sparkles skittering across the water.

  “Well, they sure like Levi. I’ve been missing him, though.” Rinnah laughed. The lilt of the musical sound sent flutters of joy throughout the area. The eyes of Rhema, SheMah, and Halal twinkled with sheer delight.

  “GREAT wants them to know He likes pets, too. Big ones. That little Timmy. Did you see his eyes when he saw our Leviathan? It was wonderful. What an answer to prayer for him.” Halal slapped the water, creating waves that sang with happiness.

  “An answer to prayer for the rest of them, too.”

  “This is too much fun. To hear the truth of the Logos in their mouths and hearts and to be able to support them, that is the best!”

  NINE

  Whale’s Wail

  Lily entered the screened-in porch after walking a while in the woods. In front of her stood Nathan. She gulped and turned away, eyes down. Then it came to her. This was a safe place. Nathan certainly couldn’t take everyone here away. Could he? Be still, oh my soul, and put your trust in King Glory. She turned back. All eyes were on her. Grandfather, Josiah, Timmy, Lijah, Drew, and Nathan all smiled at her. She heard the breeze in the trees outside and the call of seagulls in the distance. A fly buzzed near her ear, but she found herself powerless to move, to swat the fly, to open her mouth. I’m free. I’m free. I’m safe. I’m safe. The shout rang loud within her, but nothing else seemed to work.

  Finally, Drew spoke. “Lily, Nathan is restored. Your angel with all the water took him for a boat ride.” Drew burst out laughing.

  Lijah and Timmy grabbed hands and swung each other around in a circle.

  Nathan smiled. “It’s true, Lily. Between that and the song ‘Jajireh Loves Me,’ King Glory truly set me up. I’m now a LAMBer. The colony doesn’t know—yet.” Nathan shifted his feet and glanced at Grandfather. Lily had never seen him act nervous before.

  “And they won’t, Nathan,” instructed Grandfather as he put a reassuring hand on Nathan’s shoulder. “Jajireh needs you there. There are many more you must lead out for restoration. And you, Drew, and Jacob each have the experience to do rescues in the prisons and retraining facilities.”

  “Yes, sir,” Nathan replied, his voice slightly shaky. “Teach me, tell me. I’ll do whatever Jajireh wants.”

  Lily hadn’t spoken. Seeing her tormentor totally changed was shocking. She realized she trembled, and her mouth hung open.

  “It’s okay, Lily,” said Lijah, taking her hand in his. “He won’t hurt you anymore. No more ‘retrain or down the drain.’” Lily turned her head toward Lijah. Her body relaxed at Lijah’s touch. What a sweet, amazing boy.

  Nathan took a step closer to Lily, and she took a step back. Can it really be true?

  “That’s right, Lily,” Nathan said and extended his hand. “I’ve already spoken to Timmy. I must apologize for the unspeakable pain I’ve caused you. Will you consider forgiving me?”

  Timmy put his hand in Nathan’s other hand. “I always wanted a big brother.”

  “I don’t need to consider.” Lily’s voice was soft but determined. “I do forgive you. I should not be surprised, for we pray for such things as this, but I am amazed.” She grasped his hand with both of hers. She looked boldly but with kindness into Nathan’s brown eyes. “Nathan, welcome to the family of King Glory, the Society of the L.A.M.B. Have you been taught anything yet?”

  Nathan visibly relaxed. “Josiah’s grandfather began teaching me as soon as Drew and I walked in, and the water angel told me a lot. I think there will be more teaching before I head back to the colony.”

  “Yup,” quipped Timmy. “Now it’s ‘regrow and get in the flow.’”

  Everyone laughed as they sat down for Grandfather’s famous stew and wonderful teaching.

  * * *

  “Nathan, remember the whale, the wail of the whale?” The words came through the trees, but he saw no one.

  Nathan was returning to the colony meeting for the first time since his awakening, the restoration of his inner man. He contemplated truths taught to him by Grandfather and Josiah. At the same time, he tried to make sure he still acted like a watcher. He asked King Glory to help him. As the words drifted to him, the hair on his skin stood straight up, yet he felt peace within. Somehow the voice was familiar, but he could not quite place it or identify the source. Nathan paused a moment on the path through the woods.

  Evergreen scent filled the air. Pine needles rolled around under his feet as he continued. The needles made the path slippery, even though the whole area was dry from little to no rain. He paused again and picked up a few need
les. A rock next to the path seemed to offer a seat, and Nathan accepted the offer.

  He heard it again. “Nathan, do you remember?” Words swirled around him like the pine needles would swirl if his childhood dog ran down this path. He wanted to get up and run, but instead, he looked within to the memory.

  “I remember,” Nathan said, “but I don’t want to. All that was good died that day.” With his elbows on his knees, he put his face into the palms of his hands. Sweat poured off his face, and it wasn’t from the heat.

  “Remember the whale.”

  Nathan nodded. “I have never forgotten. It was mournful, haunting, sad, like it knew there was death.” He leaned back against the tree next to the rock. Like so many, the tree was pocked with woodpecker holes, and the bark was rough. He glanced at the tree and pulled away. Even this tree is dead. He shook his head. Why must I remember death when I’ve just found life? Please. He looked up with pleading eyes.

  “No, the wail of the whale was like the cry of the spirit.”

  “It was sad. Was it really my parents’ cry? They didn’t know You, did they?”

  “Your grandparents did and were praying. Their cry in the spirit was at the same moment.”

  “I don’t understand.” Nathan stood and walked to the next tree. Leaning against it, he peered up through the leafy branches to the blue sky. The leaves fluttered in the breeze.

  “Nathan, your grandparents’ prayer at that moment, their cry, was what caused your parents to cry out to Jajireh right before they died. That cry to Jajireh caused them to enter heaven. The cry, or the wail, of the whale echoed the cry of the spirit. Did you hear them call out to me, Nathan?”

  “I think we all yelled as we fell in, but underwater all I heard was the whale.” Nathan wiped the tear that slipped out of his eye.

  “Naturally. Humans don’t generally cry out or yell underwater, but they did within themselves, and I heard it just as you did the whale. Did you hear the whale when you were out of the water?”