by Jill Austin
“Couldn’t you just say, ‘Bottoms up,’ to them, Lord? I would just love to see one of them get theirs! I could pray for them while it’s happening.”
“Beloved, you know better.”
“Alright! I admit it, but don’t You think it’s just a little extreme to trim my bottom in public? Okay! Okay! I’m just a tad bit prideful but couldn’t it be our secret?”
“Beloved! A tad bit? You need to repent! You’ve come in here like a prima donna offending and hurting others with your attitudes. You’ve been flaunting your gifts for position, rather than caring about others.”
A sigh of resignation escapes her mouth. “Oh Lord, You’re right. I’ve made such a fool of myself in front of all these people. Can You forgive me?”
“You’re forgiven, Beloved. I want you to remember there’s no shame when you stumble and fall. It’s only a problem when you try to hide your faults and fail to come running to Me for forgiveness and mercy.”
With a smile, Master Potter finishes trimming Beloved and turns her upright on the wheel. With an artist’s eye, Master Potter takes a small piece of clay in His hands and begins to mold it. He adds water and begins to stretch it into a long graceful handle, which He attaches to Beloved’s side. Her shape is beautifully formed. Now she really is a pitcher and she’s ready for the next process. “Ah, the finishing touch to make you into a beautifully shaped pitcher,” says a joyful Master Potter.
PART FIVE
THE WILDERNESS
CHAPTER TWENTY
PROPHETIC JOURNEY
The warm winds turn into cool evening breezes as Master Potter and Beloved watch the fiery sun dip into the darkening waters of the sea. Shielding her from the cold, Master Potter cradles her close whispering, “Come, dear one, it’s time to go inside.”
The fluttering of dove wings signals the return of Holy Spirit to Master Potter’s shoulder as they enter the house. The fire is already blazing in the hearth, and the warm amber glow of the kerosene lamps softly illuminates the room.
Master Potter gently places Beloved on the shelf beside other vessels that are drying out and walks to the wood-burning stove. The iron kettle whistles its joyous praise, which harmonizes with the crackling songs of the dancing fire. Master Potter picks it up and pours boiling water over fragrant leaves in a teapot decorated with henna blossoms.
He brings it over to the low table by His overstuffed leather chair and places it beside a plate of raisin cakes and fresh apples. Beloved hears a deep sigh of satisfaction as Master Potter sits down and puts His feet on the wooden stool.
The warmth of the fire spreads over her vessel, making her feel relaxed and cozy as she continues drying out. Light and shadows flicker across Master Potter’s face as He sips His tea. Beloved hears the comforting cooing of the dove perched on the back of the Potter’s chair.
Without saying a word Master Potter and the dove communicate deep secrets which are hidden in their hearts. Without warning the dove lifts off and flies around the room in circles. With each circle Beloved senses the increase of the wind and fire. Abruptly, He changes course and flies straight toward her.
“Beloved, will you follow Me?” coos the dove.
He soars by her and vanishes into a scenic picture hanging over the fireplace mantel. Shafts of gossamer light radiate from the canvas, drawing her toward it and warming her heart. She can hardly believe it! She realizes a doorway into another world has opened up to her. The dove becomes smaller and smaller in the painting as if it’s traveling into the distance. Scanning the amazing piece of art, Beloved’s eyes fall upon an old, worn pathway that winds up a steep hill leading to an old iron gate.
Filled with quiet awe, Beloved once again hears the still small voice of the dove wooing her, “Will you follow Me?”
Her heart desperately wants to go but her mind fights her spirit. “This is impossible. It can’t be real!”
A PROPHETIC INVITATION
Master Potter’s deep reassuring voice says, “Beloved, this is a prophetic invitation to follow My Spirit.”
“Lord, I don’t want to leave You or Your house. I thought we would never be apart. I just want to rest here in Your presence forever. It’s so cozy and comfortable. If I go, will You come with me?”
“No Beloved. I’m sending Holy Spirit to guide you. But even though we’re separated, I’ll always have My eye on you. Are you willing to follow Him?”
With great reluctance Beloved says, “Yes, Lord, but I can’t get into that picture, it’s way too high for me.”
Rising from His chair, Master Potter picks up His beloved little vessel, brushes her hair away from her face and kisses her forehead. “I’ll help you, Beloved, and I’ll be waiting for your return.”
Walking to the mantel, Master Potter places her into the living picture. The instant her tiny feet touch down she senses a change in the atmosphere. She takes her first step and is amazed to see she is now on the pathway leading to the old iron gate where Master Potter’s purposes and Holy Spirit await her.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
THE WILDERNESS
Rays from the sun warm Beloved’s cheeks, and the pungent odors of autumn excite her senses. Trying to get her bearings, she looks for the dove. The worn path before her is lined with stately oak trees meandering up a lush green mountain clearing. The air is cool and crisp.
The oaks stand at attention like ancient sentinels guarding her way. The brilliant orange, red and yellow leaves spiral downward in a burst of vibrant color, carpeting the earth in multicolored beauty.
At the top of the hill, a shimmering figure stands beside the old iron gate. Her confidence falters as she realizes the dove has vanished and now the figure is beckoning to her.
Pausing, she prays, “Lord what should I do? I wish You were here. I wish You would help me.”
The fragrant breeze whispers, “Continue the journey, Beloved.”
“Master Potter, I can hear You. I was so afraid I’d lost You. Thank You. Please keep helping me.”
“I will, Beloved. I will.”
Gathering her courage, she resumes walking, with eyes fixed on the waiting angelic figure dressed in a white tunic, shimmering with light and glory. His glistening silver shield radiates light. His sword is sheathed to his side. Tucked through his golden belt is a shofar. Beloved recognizes his auburn hair with its shimmering golden streaks and his piercing blue eyes. She runs toward him.
MEETING VALIANT
“Hello, Beloved. I’m Valiant, your guardian—”
“I’ve seen you before,” she blurts out.
“Yes, I’m your guardian angel. The Father assigned me to protect you on the day you were born!”
“I saw you in a vision. You saved me from the horses when I chased after a stray puppy in the street as a child. And you kept Antagonist from killing me the night I left him. Were there other times you helped me?”
Valiant tosses his head back and laughs. “Just a few. You’ve actually kept me very busy.”
“And I saw you celebrating when Master Potter was taking me to His home.”
“Yes. That day lives in my memory as exceptionally sweet. I, and the other angels who had just finished battling on the Potter’s Field for your soul, celebrated the Father’s triumph over His enemy—your choosing life. Ah, what a sweet victory that was. You could see only our little celebration, but your Grandma Pearl and all of Heaven celebrated too.”
“Why am I being allowed to see you now?”
Master Potter is allowing you to see me so I can help prepare you for the challenging journey ahead.”
He swings open the gate of faith, motioning for her to enter. She follows him to the top of the hill. At the summit, winds whip wildly at her hair. Her clothes flap freely. Hot desert winds from the vast wilderness below make her dry and fragile as she’s exposed to their harsh, unforgiving embrace.
Here she sees a panoramic view of what her future will be: desolate mountain ranges, sun-parched valleys, arid sand dunes and ble
ak barrenness. The stark contrast of the lush gardens and the warm coziness of Master Potter’s House bring a sinking sensation to the pit of her stomach. The desolation takes away her breath.
Quickly turning away from Valiant, she runs back down the path past the oak trees looking for the portal back to Master Potter’s House. The portal is closed. Angrily she cries out, “Please don’t leave me here! Didn’t You promise I would be a beautiful pitcher? I want to go back if this is what it’s going to be like! Get me out of here!”
NO ESCAPE
Valiant waits patiently until her temper tantrum is spent, and he helps her come to the realization that there is no escape! Knowing her feelings he tells her gently, “Beloved, you need to trust Master Potter’s purpose for bringing you into the wilderness. He sent me to strengthen and refresh you for this journey. You’re about to enter a season of testing to prepare you for your destiny. You need to trust His goodness even though you can’t see Him now. Never forget the times of intimacy you shared with Him. He still loves you like He did when you were there.”
Realizing her options are limited, Beloved determines that she will get it over with as quickly as possible. She coyly replies as she walks back up the hill, “Where do we start? I’m sure I can finish this and be back home in no time at all.”
Reaching into the leather pouch strapped to his belt, Valiant pulls out a package of small cakes, covered with a substance resembling honey. He hands her an earthenware jug of sweet tea, telling her, “Sit for awhile and be refreshed. The journey is longer than you think.”
She bites into the first delicious cake and is soon licking the last crumbs from her fingers. Then she drinks the last drop of tea.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
AMAZING GRACE
It isn’t more than a few moments before Beloved begins to suspect that the food prepared by Valiant was no ordinary meal. She begins to feel strangely energized, charged from the inside out as supernatural strength fills her from deep inside.
Valiant tells her, “Master Potter has many lessons for you to learn and some of them will take all the strength you possess. So, He’s imparting His strength through the food you’ve eaten. When you think you can go no further, remember this day and call upon His name. He always hears you.”
“The journey through the wilderness is to learn the mysteries of the barren places. Master Potter wants you to trust Him and lean upon Him no matter what. This is an opportunity to develop even deeper intimacy with Him. Cry out to Him in prayer. This desert is fraught with dangers and illusions, but He’s sending you a guide.”
Leaning close to the edge of the rocky precipice, he points down the steep trail, “Here he comes now. As always I’ll be with you, but just not visible.”
HOW SWEET THE SOUND
Beloved looks into the scorching haze rising from the desert floor and sees nothing. Squinting her eyes and gazing longer into the radiating heat, she finally sees him. A hooded figure is fast approaching.
The figure leaps and bounds over the precarious terrain. Finally coming to an abrupt halt at the foot of the mountain path, he stands before her. Valiant smiles to himself and introduces them, “Beloved, I would like you to meet your guide, Amazing Grace.”
This mysterious stranger is vaguely familiar and yet Beloved can’t be sure if they’ve ever met. He looks like a desert monk in his brown burlap robe, his face mostly concealed under the folds of the hood. I wonder who this is? she silently questions, expecting him to reveal his face at any moment.
Instead he abruptly turns, speaking to her in a voice so low she can barely hear, “Follow me, Beloved.”
Turning to Valiant she says, “I don’t want to go with him. I want to go with you. Can’t you just stay visible for me?” Valiant gestures toward Amazing Grace. “He’s Master Potter’s choice for your guide. I will be with you all the way; you just won’t see me.”
THE PATH OF LIFE
She pauses for a moment, then sees that Amazing Grace is already halfway down the steep descent. He moves so freely and without any regard for safety, she tells herself. She turns to complain to Valiant, but he’s not there. Not wanting to be left alone she quickly follows Amazing Grace along the narrow mountain trail. She crossly yells, “Slow down; I can’t keep up with you. Don’t you even care if I get hurt?”
Hours pass and the hot winds whip against her body. She wipes her sweaty face mumbling, “What have I gotten into? I’ve become so dry and fragile in this scorching heat!” She shouts to Amazing Grace, “Can’t we sit down and rest for awhile?”
The hooded figure continues, leaving her with no choice but to follow him as he takes her through unfamiliar and treacherous territory. “Do you hear me? I want to go back to the Potter’s House! Why don’t you answer me?” she wails, limping along behind.
When she finally catches up, he tells her, “Master Potter has sent you into the wilderness so you can learn to walk by faith. Your only hope is in trusting Him to know what is best for you. You can’t rely on your own strength or what you see in the natural. The choice is yours.”
Evening brings a chill to the desert, and cold wind sweeps through the barren pass, churning up dirt and sand. Beloved rubs her red, burning eyes. Darkness is falling, and the setting sun and lengthening shadows obscure the trail below. A shiver runs through Beloved as she grabs his hand. Renewed strength immediately flows into her.
A LEAP OF FAITH
But instead of following the path to the desert floor, Amazing Grace leads her to the edge of a deep ravine cut into the mountainside. She catches a glimpse of jagged rocks below in the eerie shadows cast by the dim moonlight.
She cries, “Lord, what kind of guide is this? Just look where we are! Surely you wouldn’t take me to the edge of a cliff and tell me to jump off!”
But somewhere deep inside she realizes that’s exactly why he’s taking her there. Frozen with fear, self-preservation takes over. Her heart pounds loudly as she looks into the treacherous chasm below.
Whispering softly, Amazing Grace tells her, “This is your first big test. Will you trust me when you can’t see the way or understand what I’m asking of you? Will you take the leap of faith to the other side of this mountain?”
Crossly she snaps, “Are you crazy? You want me to jump! I can barely walk on my blistered feet. I stumbled all day, or didn’t you notice?”
TRAPPED
Beloved plops down on an uncomfortable rock, fighting to keep her lower lip from quivering. Behind her is only darkness. The path is no longer visible! She’s trapped! Angry, hurt and feeling deeply betrayed, Beloved makes up her mind she will go no further. From a nearby cliff, the lonely howling of a wolf terrifies her. In order to continue the journey she’ll have to jump. She frantically looks for her guide but now he’s nowhere to be found.
Should I trust Amazing Grace?
An icy wind blows through the pass and shadowy demonic figures erupt in the darkness, filling the air with their vile accusations. Breathing their foul breath close to Beloved’s face, they begin their mockery with taunts and accusations.
“Why didn’t you take that ride back to town? You could be warm and well fed at Madam’s and surrounded by an adoring public. It’s not too late. Madam will still take you back.”
“I will never go back to her. Master Potter has me here for a purpose.”
“Master Potter has brought you here to die! One false move and it’s all over! You don’t have to continue this crazy journey. Soon the sun will come up and you can find your way back without your guide.”
“No, I can’t go back,” says Beloved, with her resolve waning.
“But Master Potter left you and that guide deserted you. You will always be Forsaken.”
“No, I’m His Beloved.”
“He brought you here to die. Your guide abandoned you.”
Feeling tightness in her chest, and trying hard not to believe the demonic influence, Beloved takes rapid, shallow breaths as she peers out through the darkness to th
e other side of the ravine. She can barely make out her guide sitting before the crackling flames.
“I think the guide is by that campfire way over there.”
“On the other side of the ravine? He won’t even come help you. What kind of guide is that?” screeches the demon.
As she watches, Amazing Grace stands and walks to the edge of the ravine, cups his hands and shouts, “Beloved, you can make it! Just take that first step. Trust me. Don’t look with your natural eyes; pray in the Spirit!”
Mustering all of her courage, she prays fervently in the Spirit as the demons taunt, “You’re going to die out here.”
Beloved cries out, “I will not listen to those voices! I’m going to live.” She runs to the edge and leaps into the air. As soon as her feet leave the ground, she knows she’ll never make it to the other side. She’s certain death awaits her. The few moments stretch out to seem like eternity as she tumbles into dark space. In those frozen moments of terror she cries out the only words she can think of, “Master Potter, save me!”
In a flash, boldness and faith erupt inside her. Peace bubbles up within her from a well deep inside her spirit—a well she didn’t know existed.
In moments Valiant’s strong arms catch her in midair and she soars like an eagle on the winds of the desert. Finally he sets her down softly on the other side next to the blazing fire.
Amazing Grace wraps a wool blanket around her shoulders as Valiant resumes his unseen post next to her, gazing into the darkness. He turns toward Amazing Grace and they both smile in approval.
