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I wrote a thing. 🙂 Feel free to critique. This is the google docs link if you want to do it on there instead: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nADTV7RonYlH5K4yLvs_nhP7Tz4G1b14RnVqUU3Y-_w/edit?usp=sharing

 

Warriors of the Light

The sky is dark and filled with a galaxy of stars. I see a stretch of shadowed land, smooth cobblestone under my feet. People wearing armor, stand around me, not too close and not too far.

In front of us, a slight castle, mightily built; the place we all watch.

In the center balcony, hardly visible through the gloom of night, our Leader speaks to us, comforting us and preparing us for battle. My heart is pounding loudly, but not with fear for the storms I will later face. A peace is sweeping through my stomach, a joy dancing through my veins.

Around me, hands lift. Tears of gladness. Thirsty souls fed.

There are many. A young woman, a married couple, a teenage boy. We are together. An elderly man bows his head. Different colors. Different pasts. Different battles. I smile. We are united.

Something gnaws at the thin layer of my core. I am safe and happy now, but later? It wiggles numbingly through my skin. When I leave, I will not have the comfort of an army, this sanctuary, this protection. My feet shift. The sword strapped to my belt feels heavier. The sting of these thoughts are like heated venom. These warriors will be separated. There will be agony. Persecution.

The shield I hold, drops an inch. The Light in us will pierce the hardened blind and suffering will come. Rewards come later for our people, but suffering is not a simple thing.

I will face the darkness. I stiffen. I will face it alone. But, I am not strong enough. The others near me, their armor shines with careful attention. My armor is dusty. I am not good enough to be a warrior. I hang my head. I will be seen for His light and melt when the shadows strike, then, His Name would be trampled. The Truth would be shredded by the claws of lies… because of me.

My heart feels chained, being pulled down, as if made of stone, not flesh. What does He think of me? That I should not carry a sword? My heavy gaze lifts to the castle. The Leader. He knows the future. My future.

The shadows around the balcony do not shift, but I see the outline of His form. Do I remember history? Remember the truth? He uses the weak to show His strength. I blink. My arm is sore from my shield. He uses the weak? I am very, very weak. Unqualified.

The Leader is watching me, His gaze unlocking the hold on my heart. I will never be alone. I will not be fighting by myself. My heart lifts back to its place. This is His war and I, His warrior. He will not let the darkness reign.

He uses the weak, I can be His vessel.

My fingers touch my cold hilt. Even now, when it is night, the creatures of wrongness hour of play, the stars shine. I smile slightly.

There will be times, many horrible times when I fall. Yet for His glory and by His strength, His banner will be lifted. The world will see, even if they never believe, they will see His goodness and His power.

I nod at Him. Thank you.

All those around me, prepare to leave; to face the hate of the opposers and when these people, these weak warriors are bleeding and forsaken by man, they will still love.

An urgency floods me, a necessity to grip my shield and never, not for a moment, let go. In the lands I will walk, the people I will meet and the temptations I will face, I need to stay with Him. He will protect me against the enemy’s lies.

I open my eyes. No castle in front of me. Light from lamps. A room of people. The worship song nears the end. The teenager sways to the instruments. The man’s head is still bowed. The couple lean on another and listen to the words.

I feel a longing for this song, this worship to never end. Any moment the song would cease and I will return to the fight.

I take a deep breath and breathe slowly out. I will hear it again. Leaving will not make me alone.

For His glory,

-Soldier of the Light

The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10 (NIV)

Inspired by the CWVFF 2019