Inheritance

(piece inspired by Romans 8:12-17)

An awakening leads to a seismic shift

From death to life

From the damp cold of the streets to the warmth of the living room

Nameless to Beloved

Orphan to Son

Heir to the King

Brother to the Lamb

All the treasure

All the glory

Because of who you are child,

Because He made it so

He took me by the hand and led me from the dark, wet streets and brought me into the biggest, brightest living room I’d ever seen. A blazing fire radiated warmth from a beautiful, hand carved hearth. The chill began to fade from my bones the longer I stayed in the presence of that fire. He took my dirty, worn out shoes and left them by the door and handed me a steaming mug of coffee. He draped a thick, knitted purple blanket over me as I sunk deeper into the oversized red armchair where I had taken up residence. Feelings of safety and contentment enveloped me. A peace just seemed to hang in the room.

I must have drifted to sleep, for He gently touched my arm and brushed the hair from my face, “Wake up, Child.” I opened my eyes and before me was this great mirror. I didn’t recognize the person staring back at me. Gone was the dirt, the lines etched deep from worry and fear. There was a light that wasn’t there before, or maybe it was, but all the dirt and pain had dimmed it to no more than a shadow. I saw beauty in my face – I never noticed that before. I felt His hand on my shoulder before I glanced up and saw His face reflected in the mirror too. He was right beside me. His voice was rich and soothing, laced with authority, “I have something for you. It’s from Papa.” Slowly, a smile as warm and soft as the dawn grew on His face. I waited eagerly, my heart pounding. What could it be? Out from behind His back appeared a silver crown – beautifully and perfectly polished. The intricate design was striking without gaudiness or flash. I was captivated, struck with awe in the presence of such a beautiful thing. 

Assuming it must belong to someone of immense importance and influence, I asked Him, “Who wears it?”, thinking I would very much like to meet them. He didn’t say a word as He reached up and set it securely on my head. Surely not! What could this mean? My face must have reflected the incredulous feeling coursing through my heart, “This is mine?? But, how? Who?!” 

A knowing smile lit up His face as He assured me, “Yes, it is meant for you Dear One. Papa’s Son, your brother, paid everything He had so it could be yours. He desperately wanted to give it to you and couldn’t wait to see the look on your face – the one that I see now. You’re glowing! Can you see it?” I took a good look at my reflection again. He was right. There was that light again, brighter and more intense, like the crown had somehow activated an increase. “This is who you are,” He said. 

I believed Him. 

His voice interrupted my thoughts, racing too quickly for me to catch any of them, “Papa has one more thing He wants to give you.”

“What is it?” escaped excitedly from my lips. “I will gladly take anything, so long as it’s from Him!” He smiled and then His face grew more serious, His eyes fixed on mine. He handed me a rough, splintery garden hoe, my initials etched into the handle inside a little cross.

“There is work to be done Dear One, and it will not always be easy or pleasant. But, your brother has already walked this road, so He knows. He also knows where it leads.” His gaze flickered to my crown and then shifted back to my eyes. “We will be with you every single step.” It was then He came around the other side of the armchair and knelt in front of me, taking my hand in His. With a tenderness I never knew existed, He placed His other hand on my cheek and whispered, “We’re family now – forever.” His gaze, alight with passion and love I had never known until now bore into mine, cutting through to my core, emphasizing the truth of His words. “Rest now Child.” He sealed His words with a light kiss on my forehead.

He pulled the blanket up where it had fallen and left me to doze in the warmth and comfort of the lingering fire.