Where All My Hope Is

Broken Chains

The room inside was cramped with ratty furniture. The badly lit room's dark gray wallpaper was peeling at the base boards.

A young girl was sitting on her bed, eyes closed, and lips moving, praying. Suddenly, her blue eyes blinked open and she set her sight on Immanuel.

"My Lord!" she yelped, before falling to the floor on her face.

Immanuel smiled softly. "Hello Sarah." He took her hands and helped Sarah to her startled feet.

She was beaming. "Oh Immanuel! I've been waiting for so many years!" I was startled that she knew His name. I studied her closely. She had dull red hair that matched my own. She looked older though. It was obvious that Sarah's beauty had been smothered by her living conditions. She had beautiful eyes that captured each moment like it was a gem, her smile was gentle and motherly, and the way she talked drew me in.

She instantly dropped to the floor and started ripping up the floorboards. Before I could question her actions, she emerged with a glowing book. My throat went dry. It was the book from my dreams! It was hidden in the enemies' palace. She handed it to Immanuel. "After Mom was arrested, I couldn't let it be taken from me. It has served me more than a memento though."

Immanuel took the book. "Well done, good and faithful servant." He took a step back to let Sarah's excited gaze fall upon me and Asher.

Her mouth fell open, and she stuttered, "Fa-e, is that you?"

She walked over to me and ran her hand over my battered cheek. The disbelief melted into joy as she wrapped me up in a tight hug. "I thought you were dead!"

I pushed her away. "I'm sorry, but I don't know you." I glanced at Immanuel for help but he just smiled.

Sarah patted her frizzled hair in excitement. "Of course you don't remember me, it was years ago when I saw you last. Oh but I treasure every moment that I was with you-"

I interrupted, "Sarah, I'm so sorry, I'm really confused. Who are you?"

Sarah started twisting her patched dress. "Oh, sorry, I'm your cousin."

I took a wary step back. "But my parents didn't have any siblings, how can you be my cousin?"

Sarah's beautiful laugh died suddenly. "Your mom never told you about your aunt?" I shook my head slowly. Sarah dropped the bunched up skirt. "That's going to make things difficult. But I'll have time to explain that story later. What are you doing here? Last I heard you were going to be executed!"

I laughed. "Well, clearly I'm still alive," I glanced at Immanuel again; I didn't really know my next steps.

Sarah followed my gaze and stared at Immanuel too, asking, "What do you want us to do?" She took the words right out of my mouth.

Immanuel handed me the glowing book and I relaxed in its presence. The lost had been found. I glanced up again and returned Immanuel's gaze.

He opened his mouth and said, "These next steps are going to become more difficult than ever before so you must be prepared." He pointed to the book. "Read it as much as possible. It's going to be your teacher during these darkening hours."

I gulped. "Immanuel, I thought you said earlier that it was time for your kingdom to come? Isn't that still true?"

He walked over to Sarah's only candle and blew it out. Pitch black surrounded us and I quivered in fear. Suddenly, the flame returned again. "Sometimes, it seems darker after we see the light, because our eyes have become comfortable with its presence. But once you sit there in the darkness long enough, you begin to minimize its power. That is true for your situation. Lucifer isn't done fighting yet, he wants to strain every resource before he is finally dethroned."

"Your world is sitting in darkness, and they are scared of the light. That is one of the many lies that Lucifer has sent across the lands. During the times where you are walking through the same darkness it's easy to get lost in the labyrinth that emerges. That's why you are given a gift, the gift of my Spirit."

"The fire dove," I muttered softly.

He nodded in my direction. "My presence is with you always, but you have to learn to discern what you hear. There are a lot of liars out there who want to confuse my words, so you have to listen to the Holy Spirit and test what they say using the book. I know you don't fully understand my words, so I'm sending you a mentor during your quest."

Asher cleared his throat. "How will we know who it is?"

Immanuel smiled. "Sarah will recognize her when she finds you."

Sarah's eyes widened, as she asked, "You mean I'm going with them?"

He nodded. "You are free of your servitude."

Sarah started jumping up and down excitedly. She wrapped me up and swung me around saying over and over, "I'm free!" I just let her do it, staying stiff the entire time.

Immanuel motioned to the door. "We need to get going." Just as I was about to leave, the Son of Man tapped me on the shoulder and waved me back in. "I need to tell you something, Fae."

He sat me on the floor. After a moment's pause, He said, "The only way for this quest to be a success is for you to forgive Ezra."

I felt my heart stop, and my face heat up. "What? But he betrayed me!"

Immanuel took my hands in His and stared softly into my eyes. "Ezra is being tossed between two fates, one that is his true destiny and one that will lead to destruction. His life is full of lies that need to be exposed and broken. You're the one to do that, but you won't be able to unless you forgive him."

My mouth was left gaping. Forgive him? He had basically sold us to my father! He had betrayed his family! The decision weighed heavily on my heart. I could see the freedom in front of me, but my anger refused to let go of my undeniable grudge.

I shamefully gazed into Immanuel's eyes. "I don't think I can."

He leaned forward, "Would you like some help?"

I bit my lip, my spirit felt like I was balancing on a teetering rope. Any wrong move would send me falling. But I squeezed my eyes shut and forcefully nodded my head, trusting in Immanuel.