by Nick O'Brien

Created on: August 19, 2009

I lie at the foot of the hill and look to the night sky. I am surrounded by darkness, but it does not stop where my body begins, nor does my heart prohibit its entrance. I am empty, full of regret. I am weak. I have lost hope. I feel no purpose, no reason. I am worthless. I am useless.

I feel no power. Gravel pierces my back, my window of opportunity shattered, now cutting into my flesh. There is nothing I can do about it. I cannot move on my own accord. I cannot shift my position. I am helpless.

Something catches my attention. With all my strength and power, I turn my head. There is a Man on top of the hill. He begins to walk toward me. I feel that I'm gaining strength. I sit up. He is closer. I begin to stand. He grabs my hand and lifts me to my feet, stopping my inevitable fall. Together, we climb the hill. Nobody says anything. Silence. We reach the top. Suspense tugs at my heart.

"Come, my child."

He opens his arms to me.

At that moment, my regret, my suffering, and my despair leave my body, and empty onto his as nails are pounded into his hands. My problems lash his body. Left bloody, spat upon, whipped, and pierced, He remains at peace. All of my trust is with Him; all of my renewed hope in Him.

"My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?" He cries, writhing in pain.

A tear falls down my dirty face.

His hands grow cold. His eyes turn upwards. His breath fades. For a moment, He is gone, lying on the cold ground where I lied minutes before.

The earth shakes. The rocks move. Rain pours down. Lightning strikes.

As the sun emerges, He rises. His scars fall to the ground with my sin. He continues to rise. He looks renewed, as I am. He has experienced everything I have. He has felt my pain. He died, bearing my sin. He rose, ridding me of my despair. Salvation. He continues to rise with the doves. Alive, I walk on, never to look back. I am saved.

Salvation is being carried from the bottom to the top. Being lifted, held. Salvation is surrender to a great God who surrendered more than we can imagine. Salvation is from Jesus, and Jesus alone.

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