The hiker then spoke on his own: “You are my prized possession and my cherished friend. I love you dearly – more than you will ever know in this lifetime; and you will know it much. You will know my love greatly. I am yours and I will never leave you. You may not always see me, but I will always show up when you need me. I am never far from you. Suddenly I will appear to you. Suddenly I am there. My love is always readily available to you.”
And again from his father he spoke: “You are also my beloved, my son in whom I delight. I have great plans for you and important work to do in you. I need you to trust me and know that I am here. All that I do for you is because of my deep love for you. I will never remove it from you. I am proud of you, and I am for you. I am with you, even unto the end.”
The hiker held the young man’s gaze intently as he spoke his own last words: “Now we have work to do. Understand that through all of this I am right here. I am right here in plain sight. I will stay with you.”
The young man held his gaze and nodded without a word.
“Are you ready?”
“I am,” the young man replied.
Through the open door of the board room a young man entered. Though he was young, he carried himself as an elder – strong in body, wisdom, and stature. He wore a white button down shirt and blue jeans. His sleeves were rolled up and his shirt untucked. The top two buttons of his shirt were unbuttoned revealing a deep blue undershirt. On his feet were sandals and on his finger a ring. It was the hiker from the forest, and who also appeared to the young man as he camped, surrounded by snow all around, and as he sat by the fire, who, when he appeared to him also joined him by the fire and there stayed the night with him before moving on. This was the first time he appeared to the young man in such manner.
Now he entered the board room in garments of judgment, his heart covered by a band of mercy. He walked to the left of the table, acknowledging the scribe with a smile and a nod before taking his seat at the center chair of the five that were arranged on that side of the table. His name is Yehu. It was he who called this meeting.
With a nod Yehu signaled to the scribe to call in the first attendee.
Through the door entered a young man, younger than the one on the precipice, but identical in features. His name was John, the man of love. When he saw Yehu, John’s face broke into a great smile as he walked toward him. Yehu stood and returned his smile and they embraced. John took his seat at Yehu's right hand, leaning upon him as the John the apostle did upon Jesus at the Passover table.
The scribe called for the next person to enter the room. Another young man came in. He stood tall and walked proud like a king returning from victorious battle. He stood at an even six feet, but his stature made him seem much taller. He strode with purpose and confidence to the chair at Yehu's left hand. Yehu stood to greet the young king and they shook hands firmly. It was obvious the two men had a deep respect for one another. When they sat, another young man entered the room.
Sheheriah. Heaven and hell both knew this name.
Many battles have been fought over this young man’s soul. He once carried many scars, but Yehu healed them and made his skin new. This is the one whom Yehu met on the precipice above the creek. This is the one for whom the meeting was called. Sheheriah took his seat directly across from Yehu. Eye to eye they sat. No words were spoken. The two simply sat staring at one another –not a confrontational stare, but one of two comrades, their faces serious, yet light with the expectation of what was about to take place.
Yehu broke into a smile and said, “This is going to be fun.” Sheheriah smiled in return.
