Radically Happy

MIC Check

Today’s Most Important Challenge is…

• Reviving Joy

Immanuel Approach Memo

Continued from 3/18 IAM: Passed Over

I am… in a dark room (still).
But the screams outside have ceased

I look for Jesus.

He is in the room with me
Wearing a crown of thorns
Holding a bloody sword

The blood is His own
I see the wound
The hole in His side
Where water still trickles out

The screams were demons
Shrieking from the holy water
That burns evil spirits like acid
While leaving humans unharmed
(Though few realize it)

He beckons for me
To go deeper into the darkness
With Him

I gulp
Take His hand
And follow

I see a door.

The door does not glow
But reflects the light of Jesus
So I can see

I am scared of the door
It is old
Scarred
Covered with runes
And what looks like dried blood

It is also intimidating
Criss-crossed with spiky chains
Padlocks and deadbolts
Possibly hidden traps

Jesus looks at me.

He smiles
“Would you like to go in?”

The honest answer is “No”
So I respond with a question

“Should I?”

Jesus laughs
And hands me His sword

Suddenly
I am filled with courage
And hope

I swing my sword at the chains and padlocks on the door
They part like butter
It hurts like acid
I scream
But am unharmed

The door
Is no longer scary
The runes
Are revealed to be Bible verses
The blood
Is the same blood
That protected my door

It was there
To protect the sanctum sanctorum
From the evil inside me

I look to Jesus.

He grins
“All has been made ready
Including you
Come”

He opens the door
I see a luscious outdoor garden
The sun is shining
Improbably midday
Though I’d swear it was midnight
And we were still indoors

I take the hand of Jesus
And step through the portal…

To be continued

Reflection

I feel…

• Sober
• Relieved
• Released
• Unchained
• Broken
• Healed
• Restored
• Enlightened

Scripture

“On that day, Leviathan, the sea monster, will squirm and try to escape, but the Lord will kill him with a cruel, sharp sword.
At that time you must sing about a fruitful vineyard. I, the Lord, will protect it and always keep it watered. I will guard it day and night to keep it from harm.”‭‭

Isaiah‬ ‭27‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭CEV‬‬