ℱ𝒾𝓇ℯ ℬ𝓇ℯ𝒶𝓉𝒽ℯ𝒹

15

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the Image of God, should shine unto them.
II Corinthians 4:4

Holy Spirit You are welcome here

Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere

Your Glory God is what our hearts long for

To be overcome by Your Presence

LORD!

The verse of the song echoed repeatedly in my mind as I prepared myself. It's finally Monday, the day that I'll be going to the mountain ranges. The thought of being able to go to other places for the Glory of God filled my heart with gladness. I took a deep breath as I saw a jeepney arrive. I went in and as Itook a seat the jeep began to move.

Wow, I couldn't help but wonder what waits ahead. It seemed as though, beginning the day Christ came into my life things went so fast... and yet, I don't regret any of it. I find everything that God does to be simply... amazing.

---

"Anna, over here!" I heard Melchour shout. I looked over the crowd of people in the terminal and saw him waving.

"Good morning! I'm so sorry I'm late, Manung," I apologized, catching my breath as I spoke.

"Nah, I'm just early that's why..." He replied with a chuckle.

"Wow." I remarked, "Well, not many would say that if they'd been waiting for like almost an hour?" I saw him laugh as he heard my words.

"Good thing I'm not one of the 'many' then." He countered. "Oh well, since you're already here I think we should get into the bus. We'll pick Pastor Allan along the way."

"Oh, who's Pastor Allan?" I asked as I followed him towards the bus.

"He's one of my close friends. 'been friends for a long time now... he's also a Pastor in our church it's just that we don't see him a lot because he's the one in charge of our outreach church in Bokod." He explained while putting our bags in the baggage area in the bus.

"Oh is that so. Hmm, 'be looking forward to meeting him then." I took a seat on the bus and looked over the window. There were a lot of people in the terminal going about.

Bewildered, I narrowed my gaze, following a woman as I spotted her among the crowd. Her all black apparell made her look like she was mourning for someone, yet the fierce eye make up that lined her eyes defeated the thought, her bright red lipstick standing out against her paper white skin. Is she a foreigner or something? My brows lifted momentarily. Makes her kinda look like a vampire. I returned my gaze towards her, but to my surprise, she turned her head and made eye contact with me, looking at me as though she knew me. I gazed away in discomfort. Was what that all about?

"Are you okay?" I felt Melchour's hand touch my shoulder tearing my attention from the woman.

"Uhm... uhh yes, yes I am." I stuttered. He gave me a suspicious look and spoke.

"Hmm? You don't seem very fine to me? Say, what's going on?" He asked sincerely.

"Uhm, it's just that I saw a woman..." I confessed. "All in dark clothes and her stares made me a bit uncomfortable. It was really... uhm, I don't know what term I should use but, it's really creepy." I saw him take a deep breath as he prepared to speak.

"Hmm, say, was she in all black clothing?" He began to ask.

"Yes."

"Did she have blonde hair that reached her shoulders?"

"Yes! Exactly, but how did you know? Do you uhm... know her?" He nodded and began to speak.

"Hmm, here name is Clarine Medina. I've spoken to her a while ago. She was waiting for a friend from the province."

I nodded in percipience as he began to recant.

"She once came to our church asking for deliverance. She admitted she was involved in satanic activity and organizations. Pastor Fernando of course catered to her needs. She went through a lot of deliverance sessions but one thing was missing. She wouldn't surrender items that were related to Satanism so even if she got delivered many times, the evil spirits always came back."

I was astounded by what I have heard, the hairs in my arms jolting as I thought of the idea. Satanism? I did not know real Satanists actually existed!

"Wait, really, Manung? You mean... Satanists actually do exist, here? I mean-I believe pagans exist but... I wasn't informed that Satanists did too- I thought their existence was some sort of a myth that's all."

"Anna, listen..." He turned to me and began to explain, "If there is such a thing as God, then there would also be such a thing as the Devil. If there is such a thing as the kingdom of God, then there would also be a kingdom of the Devil. You see, the battle was won by Jesus two thousand years ago at Calvary. But until the Devil has a chance of pulling souls to hell, he would grab every opportunity of it. That's how much he hates God. That's how much he hates Man. Do you know why?" I shook my head as I anticipated the answer.

"... Because God's image is on you, it's on me. It's in all of us. Don't you remember? When God created man He created us in His own image. That is why when Satan sees us, and sees how much God loves humankind; it infuriates him to the bones. That is why he is doing all he can 24/7 to bring as many souls to hell with him every single day, sometimes, through those Satanists..." Understanding dawned on me as I listened. That makes total sense.

"But Pastor... didn't you say that the battle was won by Jesus two thousand years ago at Calvary? So... why is it that the Devil can still pull souls to hell?" I asked as I pondered his words. More questions writhed inside me for answers. But I waited for him to answer one question at a time.

"That's right Anna... that's right, but you see... Salvation is a choice. Jesus didn't die so He can force man to accept Him. He died to show man that He loves us so much. He died to make a way for us to get into Heaven, with Him. And like a suitor waiting for an answer from the lady He loves, He is waiting for a decision. After showing His love and making a way for man to escape the punishment of hell cause of man's sins, will he accept Him, or not?"
The memory of the first time I got saved flashed in my mind. He's right. It was a decision. Jesus didn't force me when I accepted Him, He simply showed His love and let me decide.

"As I thought, you answer my questions perfectly," I replied with a smile. "Thank you, I'm so glad God uses men like you to answer questions such as these."

"Glory to God Anna, don't be shy in asking such questions... I love questions." A chuckled escaped my lips as I heard his words. Yup, he's a teacher, after all.

I gazed towards the window once more as the bus began to move. For the first time, I felt an assurance that somehow, the questions I've been asking for a very long time is now getting answered one by one. "But remember..." he added and drew closer to my ear "It's always the best when God answers your questions Himself"