Part XX:

A Radiant Covering

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And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.

But the greatest of these is love. 

~1 Corinthians 13:13

     Alex had wanted to catch up with Bill and the others in his neighborhood to find out what had happened between them and their neighbors across the street, but it appeared that they had already gone home. He thought it was probably best. They should leave it for the following day when they’ve all had time to sleep on it.  

     He had sensed something like this may take place when he saw Bill earlier, but he didn’t think it would be this intense tonight, especially so soon after the incident on Sunday. Although he was right about how it would eventually conclude. Alex was fully aware that the residents in his neighborhood didn’t care to engage in emotionally charged environments. They also were good at backing off if they sensed the love of God was not in operation, either in the situation or in their lives. Yet Alex knew that they had some deeply ingrained beliefs that hindered them from fully walking in the Spirit, and those tightly held beliefs also prevented them from seeing beyond the surface; from seeing past others actions and behaviors and seeing them in the Light of Christ. These beliefs apart from the life of the Spirit were also piercing to others. 

     They had their own share of piercing dealt to them too, but they were able to avoid many wounds by a hardening of the heart. Alex didn’t always know where the hardening came from, the Lord or they themselves. He could see how God could harden one’s heart if the other was not operating in his love, although Alex also knew that they at times did it themselves in their efforts to avoid pain and suffering when the Lord may be inviting them to partake of his sufferings. It grieved him to see them turn down those exquisite invitations into a deeper relationship with Jesus. 

     It had been a long day. He had plenty of energy to carry him through, but now that he had arrived home he began to feel the weariness in his body. 

     Alex was making his way into the kitchen to pour himself a glass of water when he noticed the message light on his answering machine blinking.  He then stopped to play the messages while looking over his mail. Two calls from the residents regarding maintenance issues, one call from a telemarketer, and then there was Sarah. Laying aside his mail he gave it his undivided attention.

     “Alex, Hi. I hope it isn’t too late to call…I was at home tonight reading my bible when something happened that I'd like to share with you. I’ll be up until 11 if you’d like to call."

     She sounded breathless and eager to share. Alex looked at the clock. It was half past ten. Should he call or wait for the morning? He wanted to speak to her and picked up the receiver then dialed her number.

     “Hello?”

     “Sarah, Hi. It’s Alex. How are you?”

     “Alex! Fine. How are you?”

     She sounded excited. “A little tired but I’m good. I just walked through the door and got your message.”

     “Oh…I can call another time…”

     “No, no, I’m fine,” he quickly interjected, “What happened?”

     “Are you sure, this may take some time?”

     “Sarah, I’m up, I’m sure. Talk to me!”

     “Ok, if you’re sure…Alex, I was home sitting on the couch reading through the book of Romans when I felt the presence of the Lord and I saw Jesus again! It was incredible,” she was really excited now.

     “You did? Tell me about it.”

     “He was standing in front of this angry crowd shielding a man from them. I believe it was the same man I saw enter that angry crowd the other day, your friend Reuben. The crowd was holding arrows, spears, and stones and they began to use their weapons on Jesus but they weren’t able to penetrate this light that was shielding him.  The light was absolutely beautiful!  I saw that young man again from the other neighborhood, believe you said his name was Jim. He was sooo angry again but Jesus just looked at him with so much love and compassion, it was glowing from Him...I could feel his love and compassion for him…Alex, are you still there?” In her excitement she was speaking so fast that she wondered if she was making any sense.

     It took a moment for Alex to answer her, “Yes, Sarah, I’m listening, go on.”

     It all started with Reuben. I saw him! He was dressed like a soldier and was talking to this teenager of which I sensed was his son, then the same guy that accused me of trying to steal their liberty the other day approached them.  He was carrying a drink and stone and it looked like he was trying to give it to the boy.  Reuben was aglow with a red light that grew deeper and brighter just then.  It was like he was on fire and I could feel the love of Jesus there too...sort of like you described it at lunch the other day, a fiery love.  Reuben then turned to the young man and quickly disarmed him.  Sarah paused at that point and caught her breath before asking, “Alex, is everything ok?” with her tone now revealing concern.

     Alex was moved and once again it took a moment for him to find his voice. “Yes Sarah, there was an incident between some of the residents in both neighborhoods but no one was hurt. The police arrived on scene and took control of the situation.

     “Yes, I saw that. That’s where it ended...So this makes sense to you?”

     “Perfect sense Sarah. Words cannot express how grateful I am that you shared this with me.”

     “Oh Alex, I’m so glad you feel that way. As I said before I don’t always know what to share and it hasn’t always gone well in the past…”

     Alex noted the mixture of happiness and sadness in her voice, “It is true Sarah, at times we can move too quickly to share, to help…but I want you to know that what you shared with me has blessed me immensely…I wouldn’t even know where to begin.”

     “Well don’t, I would imagine it’s been a long day for you so get some sleep. It can wait. I’m just glad it was helpful.”

     “More than that Sarah, as I said, it was a blessing. A real blessing…and very insightful too.”

     She was silent for a moment before saying, “Ok, I’m going to go now...” Alex heard the brokenness in her voice again as if she had wanted to cry.

     “Sarah?!” he called out before she hung up.

     “Yes?”

     “Thank you.” he whispered heartily, then added, “See you Saturday.”

     “You’re welcome…yes…Saturday…thank you.” She then hung up.

     Alex stood there for a moment in awe at what she had shared with him. Again, some things they knew, yet to hear it confirmed in such a way was extraordinary.  

     Earlier Alex had felt the compassion and love flowing and knew it flowed from the Lord.  The Lord's emotions He could feel distinctively as his Spirit expressing itself through Him.  Then, when Sarah spoke of it a verse came to his memory, "Love covers a multitude of sins." This was Alex’s deepest desire, to be like Christ and to have Sarah share her vision moved him so deeply he shed tears.  He also wanted to share it with Reuben whom he knew would also be blessed.  

     Shortly afterwards Alex once again thought of Sarah. Surely the Lord must have a place for her there, or at the least something in the works.  Why else would she be seeing so much?  He spent the rest of the night sharing his heart with the Lord, expressing his gratitude and love for Him until He fell asleep.

Part XXI:  Jim