Just a Bag

Cont’d 8

Sometimes one comes to a crossroad in their journey… a place on the path that splits, where a choice must be made.  Typically, one choice is right and one is wrong.  Once in a while, though, the person is given a choice between two right ways.  What I mean is, rather than right or wrong, both choices are right and either option can be chosen without any penalties; the end result will not change.  The important thing to note here is, only one of the ways will offer the extra blessings.  One is quicker and easier, while the other will most likely be more difficult and time consuming.  This is where I believe that I owe each of you an apology!

In my haste to accomplish the goal we were brought here for, I missed some signs left for us, and we missed the intended path.  When the way began to steepen and become more treacherous, we should have stopped and rechecked the map.  Instead, I pushed ahead for fear of being late to our destination.  I was so certain that I had everything under control, it was not until people started getting hurt that I stopped long enough to see my own folly.  Thankfully, the Commander interceded on my behalf, providing us an escape through the mountain itself.  I would never have seen this cave entrance on my own, as it seemed to materialize out of the rock right before us.  Your guess would be as good as mine, regarding how the boulder rolled perfectly in place behind us, blocking out the vermin. 

The important thing is, we are all here and safely drying off by this fire.    If not for James and his hockey stick, we would have taken some terrible injuries.  How Bubbles had the foresight to use her bubble wand as an impromptu tennis racket, I cannot say… but WOW lady!  Watching a spider bounce off three different trees and disappear into the forest… what a sight!  Also, I could not be more grateful for what appears to be several members with first aid skills.  While the last of the bandages get applied, I want to go over the instructions with everyone before traveling further.  By working with each other as a team, I believe we can arrive quicker, and more safely. 

According to this map, there is a path that will lead up through the mountain, carrying us to a hidden doorway.  This is an old and seemingly forgotten back entrance into the lair of a Nasty dragon.  There is little that I know of him, other than the cryptic information I gathered from some archives.  The dragon’s name is Porphyrios, and according to my readings, he is referred to as a Brass Dragon.  Legend has it that these dragons were both outgoing and selfish, with a tendency for causing strife.  Porphyrios lives his family’s likeness, to an extreme and then some, and has been terrorizing the lowlands for some time now. 

Looking back on our travels, I am almost certain that he was most likely behind the attack on the otter village.  It makes a great deal of sense as to why they destroyed the village and did not take any spoils away when they left.  I think the poor otter folk were a diversion, set to slow us down in our arrival time… though I cannot be sure.  What I can be assured of is this… we were given this route, from my Commander, bringing us directly to where our pick up is located.  While all of you were being treated for injuries, as well as resting from the battle, I have been considering this very fact.  If He made a way, then the package must still be intact and retrieval is still needed. 

With renewed confidence and commitment to the cause, we must press on to the dragon’s lair.  Whatever we must collect will most likely have to be retrieved with great stealth and care.  Planning for a silent passage got me to thinking about our bags bouncing along at our sides, filled with whatever we will be needing.  Is it just me, or has anyone else noticed something different about our bags?  I had not realized it at the time, but looking back I now see where things changed.   Once we entered the forest our bags transformed!  They began to resemble a shoulder bag, firmly held in place by a thick strap crossing our chests. None of us realized that we were able to carry an item at the same time as carrying our bags.  We were too caught up with the dangers to even notice the change. 

Remember when we started our adventure and I told you about the rules of the bags?  We are not supposed to be able to have more than one thing in hand… either the bag or an item from within it, but not both.  I spent a few moments looking over some ancient writings, and saw many references about our Commanders’ ability to equip us for anything He calls us to accomplish. I think this means that He can change the bags as He desires, and for His purposes.

With that information in hand, I looked further. There I was reading and suddenly, I had an epiphany!  Written all over in my history ledger (the bible), are writings that speak about battles, and in all these battles I noticed that the warriors carried two items… one for offense, and one for defense.   I specifically found writings about armor and noted here as well, two items in the warriors’ hands… one for offense, and one for defense.  Look, I will even show you the passage…

“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”  Ephesians 6:14-17

Now do you understand why it is so important to slow down, look up and watch for things, instead of running full tilt ahead like I did today? Had I noticed the change in our bags, perhaps it could have allowed me a different view of our path.  Such a difference might have prevented our detour.  Or if nothing else, we might have been more prepared for the battles we encountered.  I have learned a valuable lesson, and am very grateful that my learning did not cause any permanent damage to one of our team.  I learned that just because I believe in the purpose, I cannot choose my own path to get there, running ahead on my own understanding.  It is best to just follow the one with the full plan, watching for any signal from Him as to where He is headed. 

Speaking of plans, quite frankly, I am in a state of utter surprise that everybody is even ready to listen to the plan, after this whole mess I got us into.  I am left humbled by the speed at which you readily forgave me, gathering around the map with an eager readiness to push on.  It also fills me with a great amount of courage for what lies ahead, as I see such commitment from all of you, to get this done!  I know not what lies in the darkness, but I do know that I travel with friends… and together we can overcome whatever we must face.

**I am attempting to start offering an audio version of my stuff. Have fun and enjoy, but keep in mind that I am a novice at this.**