Walk With Me
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Doing this they were able to make their way back to a clear path just before the sun set. They spent an uneasy night close to the thorn land and to encourage them, Peter read from the guidebook:
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
They got up as soon as the sun rose and started off again. By mid-morning, they reached a small hut where a guide named Courage lived. He invited them in and spoke to them about the journey ahead. “You have learned that the highland meadows are not the end of your journey. There is still a long way to go before you reach the King’s City and until then you will never be finished with burdens and struggles. There will always be new challenges to face: the little travelers will leave you, and you will grow old. Another drought may come, and the roaring lion continues to prowl. But all these trials come so your faith may be proved genuine—and will result in praise and glory and honor for the King. So do not be ashamed. You can boast of your weaknesses, because His power is made perfect in weakness.”
Courage suggested that they stay with him for a few days so he could help them go through their bags, for they had picked up new burdens along the way. This time Peter and Celeste didn’t mind getting rid of their unconfessed sins and rusty treasures.
When Celeste looked at the pile, she sighed. “Look at all these unnecessary burdens. Is there any way we could have avoided getting them?”
“It would have been possible to come directly to the Highlands over the Mountains of Maturity, except you wanted to find an easier way because your legs were weak and your hearts were faint. I think you’ve learned now that it does no good to take a detour when you come to a challenging section.”
“Yes, but only through painful experience,” Peter said.
“Don’t be discouraged. There are some travelers who choose harder routes and are able to bypass many of the dangers in the Low Country. But I have never heard of any traveler who was able to completely avoid the Swamp of Selfishness.”
That night by the fire, Courage reminded them again that life would not always be sweet, even in the Highlands.
“Your postcard dreams led you astray. Those scenes seemed ideal, but you learned they were a weak and incomplete picture of true love. Even after you burned and buried them, you expected the Highlands would be like a fairy tale. Now be careful not to fall back into the trap of thinking that romantic love will solve your problems.”
Peter and Celeste nodded.
“It’s not easy. Remember that you did not start on the journey to the King’s City for pleasure’s sake, but because you loved the King and you longed for a better country. Those who belong to the Servant have nailed the passions and desires of their old selves to the Servant’s cross and killed them there.
“But what glories are waiting for us in the beautiful city the King has prepared for us. Just think—when we get there we shall be like Him, for we will see Him as He truly is. Hallelujah!” The guide jumped to his feet and danced a little jig; he was so full of joy. Together they sang and praised the King as long as the fire’s coals still glowed.
The next morning, Peter and Celeste gathered their little travelers and prepared to leave. Before he said goodbye, Courage sang one more song:
Be blessed as you journey, following the path of the King.
Be blessed as you listen to His instructions and obey His directions.
Walk in His way only and pay attention carefully. Praise the King!
TOWARD THE KING’S CITY
In the summer, Peter and Celeste decided to climb the highest peak by themselves. When they reached the summit, they saw the clearest and closest view yet of the King’s City. The city appeared as an unshakable mountain filled with thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly. Surrounded by a wall of dark green jasper, it shone like a brilliant diamond, made of gold so pure it was like glass. It did not need the sun or the moon, for the glory of the King gave it light. The River of the Water of Life, clear as crystal, flowed from the King’s Throne through the middle of the city, and there was no mourning or crying or pain anywhere.
Peter and Celeste could see a crowd of redeemed travelers streaming into the city, with joy crowning their heads like halos, and singing:
How beautiful is the place where You live, O King,
How eager I am to enter into Your city, to come into Your courtyard.
All of me, body and soul, shouts with joy to You.
How wonderful to live in Your house and sing Your praise.
“That’s where we’re headed!” Peter said. “Someday we’ll join them loving the King and glorifying Him forever.”
“I’ve never heard anything so beautiful,” Celeste said. “It will be wonderful to sing in that choir.”
“Look—over there,” Peter said. At the gates to the city, a traveler was getting ready to enter. They saw him turn to kiss his partner goodbye, then he went through the gate. “Well done, good and faithful Servant,” they heard the doorkeeper say to the traveler.
For a long while, neither Celeste nor Peter spoke. Each was thinking what a painful separation it would be if the King didn’t call them together and one of them had to stay behind.
They stood there silently, with the light of the King’s glory shining on them. Then they turned to each other—and for a brief moment saw each other whole and complete in the King’s love, as He had created them to be.
“This was always my favorite postcard,” Celeste said quietly.
“You and I were in the postcard?”
“It was another couple, though I dreamed that someday it would be me.” She took Peter’s hands. “But what a dim reflection my postcards were of what could be. We’ve gone through so many difficulties—some of our own choosing, some we had no control over—and so many times I lost all hope for our partnership. But the King gave us strength to save it. By His grace we are still partners, and by His grace I have experienced a love with you that is so much richer and fuller than I ever imagined when we first set out.”
“Truly you have become heart of my heart and flesh of my flesh,” Peter said.
Holding hands, they turned again toward the far horizon, looking to that day when they would stand before the King and all their incompleteness would be made whole in the great Complete.
Then they looked around the Highlands and saw how the love of the King and His faithfulness reached all the way to the sky. Together they pledged to keep walking on the path of love, as the Servant had done. They would continue to teach the little travelers the way until it was time for them to set off on their own. They would keep praising the King and doing good, sharing with other travelers along the way.
They knew they would still face trials, but whatever happened, they would always find refuge in the shadow of the King. Through storms and droughts and floods, mudslides and swamps and canyons, He would never give up on them. He would always go with them, giving them everything they needed to follow His path home.
The last light of the sun was disappearing behind them. It was time for them to go back down to the Highlands.
Peter faced Celeste. Taking her hands, he asked her, “Will you walk with me?”
And Celeste said, “Yes.”
Scripture References and Sources
1: ON THE KING’S WAY
“had sent the Servant, not to condemn them”: See John 3:17
“by giving them His very Breath”: See John 20:22
“my Robe of Righteousness”: See Isaiah 61:10
“the stains of your guilt”: See Jeremiah 2:22
“But she pressed on, working to strengthen her flabby muscles”: See Hebrews 12:12
“ask other travelers which direction to go”: See Proverbs 2:6–13
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��travelers who no longer cared”: See 2 Peter 2:15–18 THE MESSAGE
“not meant to be taken alone”: See 1 Corinthians 2:25–26
“how great was the love of the King”: See Ephesians 3:18
“She knew she would never go back”: See Hebrews 11:15–16
“to give those who followed Him life to the full”: See John 10:10
“streams of living water would flow from within”: See John 7:37
“his real life was on the Servant’s path”: See Colossians 2:20–3:4
“The Roaring Lion prowls around”: See 1 Peter 5:8
“the Weights of Decrees and Regulations”: See Matthew 23:4
“the Servant died to free the prisoners from their chains”: See Luke 4:18
“the Knife of Grace can cut through your chains”: See Romans 3:21–26
“tell the King he was sorry”: See 1 John 1:9
“Anyone who cuts the cords, except for unfaithfulness”: See Matthew 19:8–9
“there is no partnership in the King’s City”: See Matthew 22:30
“He created the first partners in the Great Garden”: See Genesis 2:21–24
“You could put every mountain into the ocean”: See 1 Corinthians 13:2b
“your songs will sound like rusty hinges”: See 1 Corinthians 13:1
“Make allowance for each other’s faults”: Colossians 3:13 NLT
“the King’s love never gives up and never loses faith”: See 1 Corinthians 13:7 NLT
“Place me like a seal over your heart”: Song of Solomon 8:6–7
2: IN THE LOW COUNTRY
“Printed in large letters”: See Genesis 2:15–17
“they hid behind some trees”: See Genesis 3:8–11
“use your freedom to serve one another in love”: See Galatians 5:13–14
“If you have never disobeyed a sign, go ahead and judge her”: See John 8:7
“Garments of Praise”: See Isaiah 61:3
“remember what the King has done for us”: See Psalm 77:11–12
“to encourage each other daily”: See Hebrews 3:13
“do not let the sun set on your anger”: See Ephesians 4:26
“be careful not to turn away”: 1 Peter 1:14–18 THE MESSAGE
“Do everything without complaining or arguing”: Philippians 2:14
“Do not let any unwholesome talk”: Ephesians 4:29
“pay attention to each other’s weaknesses and troubles”: See Philippians 2:4
“If you feel a little twinge”: See James 1:14–15
“Serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul”: See Deuteronomy 10:12–13
“be careful not to turn away”: See 1 Peter 1:14–18 THE MESSAGE
“some travelers have been tortured and stoned”: See Hebrews 11:35–38
“courage to walk on water”: See Matthew 14:29
“not brave enough”: See Luke 22:56–60
“For this reason a man will leave”: Matthew 19:4–6
“store up my treasures in the King’s City”: See Matthew 6:19
“I gave up my citizenship”: See 1 Peter 2:11
“The logs, dear mother”: See Matthew 7:3–5 ESV
“Get rid of all bitterness”: Ephesians 4:31–32
3. AROUND THE MOUNTAINS OF MATURITY
“the Course of Testing”: See James 1:2–4
“guides disguised as harmless sheep”: See Matthew 7:15 NLT
“thinking only about their own comfort”: See Philippians 2:3–4
“All day, the rain poured down”: See Matthew 7:24–27
“not give up until we get to the King’s City”: See Philippians 3:12–14
“he sang to the King”: See Colossians 3:16
“Turn your ear to listen to me”: Psalm 31:2–3 NLT
“Oh, that my steps might be steady”: Psalm 119:5–6 THE MESSAGE
“My sad life’s dilapidated”: Psalm 119:28–30 THE MESSAGE
“The King knows your weakness”: See Isaiah 40:27–31
“Self-Control in front, followed by Patient Endurance”: See 2 Peter 1:5–7
“For a moment Celeste thought he looked like a wolf”: See Matthew 7:15
“there should be a stream of living water”: See John 7:37–39
“These people come near to me with their mouth”: Isaiah 29:13
“strain out a gnat from their cup”: See Matthew 23:24
“cares more about the regulations”: See John 5:39–40
“The inside was as dirty as the outside was clean”: See Matthew 23:25–26
“listen to the rules but don’t put them into practice”: See James 1:22–25
“like clanging gongs, screeching hinges”: See 1 Corinthians 13:1
“I don’t see any fruit here”: See Galatians 5:22–23
“a rule that says you should sing”: See Psalm 47:6–7
“The King’s truth will set me free”: See John 8:32
“I have my Guidebook to light my way:” See Psalm 119:105
“Wives, submit to your husbands”: paraphrase of Ephesians 5:22–24
“Yes, just like the one hundredth sheep”: See Luke 15:3–7
“Husbands, love your wives”: paraphrase of Ephesians 5:25–30
“You know that the rulers”: paraphrase of Mark 10:42–45 NLT
“to love your neighbor as yourself”: Matthew 22:39
“a story of mercy and compassion”: See Luke 10:25–37
4. ACROSS THE SWAMP OF SELFISHNESS
“Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil”: See Genesis 3:16–19
“filled with all kinds of evil”: See 2 Timothy 3:2–5; Galatians 5:19–21
“don’t think the King’s path is supposed to be like this”: See Psalm 37:23
“show us a way out”: See 1 Corinthians 10:12–13
“each of us being quick to speak”: See James 1:19
“We are trying to be patient with each other”: See Ephesians 4:1–2
“If any of you wants to be my follower”: Luke 9:23–24 NLT
“You will need the same attitude”: paraphrase of Philippians 2:5–8
“I will be working in you as you go”: See Philippians 2:13
“important rules of the journey: travel light”: See Hebrews 12:1b
“He wants to give His travelers easy, light bags”: See Matthew 11:28–30
“The King asks sick people”: See John 5:6
“If anyone else thinks he has reasons”: See Philippians 3:4–6
“realize those credentials”: paraphrase of Philippians 3:7
“As they spoke the truth in love to one another”: See Ephesians 4:15
“I called to the King for help”: paraphrase of Psalm 40:1–2
The look of love had returned”: See 1 Peter 4:8
“You are co-heirs”: See 1 Peter 3:7
“The Servant laid down his life”: See John 10:17–18
“Iron sharpens iron”: See Proverbs 27:17
“washing their dirty feet”: See John 13: 4–5
“told them to follow His example”: See John 13:15
“remain attached to Him”: See John 15:4
5. UNDER THE DISILLUSIONING SUN
“to meet together and encourage one another”: Hebrews 10:25
“Better is one day in your courts”: Psalm 84:10
“So here I am in the place of worship”: Psalm 63:2–4 THE MESSAGE
“If you fall, remember that He is faithful”: See 2 Timothy 2:13
“These were given to train you”: See Hebrews 12:5–13
“He is also the King of comfort”: See 2 Corinthians 1:3–4
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion?”: Matthew 11:28–30 THE MESSAGE
“if you are not loving your partner”: See 1 John 4:19–21