Gazing into the starry night, the Creator smiled. “Not a star out of place,” He mused. “And the moon is right where I placed it, beaming down in all its glory across the glassy sea.” As He strolled beneath the canopy of trees, the leaves clapped joyously, their mighty branches lifted toward heaven in praise. Even the rocks and hills cried out in honor and worship to Him. But something was missing. Something not yet created. Something in His own image.
So, like a potter, He scooped up a handful of clay and began His laborious task. Around the clock He labored, His skillful hands intricately shaping the clay. Finished at last, He breathed into the figure’s nostrils and the lifeless form became a living being.
Like a child at play, Heart skipped across the rolling hills, chasing butterflies and climbing trees and basking in the sun. She talked and laughed with her Creator, learning much about the one and only God in her life. She could never imagine her life without Him.
One sunny morning, Heart wandered farther than usual, skipping through the forest, oblivious to the dangers ahead. Suddenly, she approached an iron gate, vaguely remembering God’s warning about it. Mesmerized by its towering magnificence, she was not aware that Evil was lurking in the shadows.
Now, Evil was handsome and charming, with black, wavy hair, pearly white teeth, and a thin mustache above his ruby-red lips. His eyes, like emeralds, gleamed beneath his ebony brows, concealing the evil within. Captivated by his dimpled smile, Heart clung to his every word as they slid off his tongue like silk.
“I suppose you’re wondering what’s on the other side of the gate,” he said teasingly.
“Well . . . I guess so,” Heart stammered. “I really shouldn’t be here. God warned me about this gate. He said if I enter through it, I will die.”
“Die!” Evil laughed. “Now, that’s a good one. You won’t die, dear Heart. God knows that when you walk through the gate, your eyes will be opened, and you’ll be like God, knowing good and evil. If you ask me, you’ve been duped.”
“God lied to me?” Heart questioned.
“Well,” Evil said, his smile becoming a sinister grin, “Since I’m the only one here with a key, come see for yourself!”
Something deep in Heart told her this wasn’t right; that Evil was not what he appeared to be. Still, she wanted to see for herself. Maybe the Creator’s been holding out on her and life is even more splendid on the other side of the gate.
Abandoning everything she ever knew and loved and trusted, Heart followed a complete stranger through the gate and down a steep, narrow path that seemed to lead nowhere. Faster and faster Evil ran, leaving Heart breathlessly far behind.
“Slow down!” Heart panted. “I can’t keep up and I don’t know where we’re going!”
“That’s your problem now, fool! Evil shouted over his shoulder. And in a flash he was gone, his laughter trailing behind like a madman.
Frightened and confused, Heart staggered along the barren path clutching her chest and crying, “What have I done? What have I done?” But she knew. Of her own free will, she chose a lie over the truth, and with one careless jerk, she ripped her heart from God.
Life was hard for Heart, trying to survive in a harsh, cruel world without hope, without peace, without love and protection. Not a day went by that she didn’t cry for mercy, that she didn’t wish she was dreaming, that she hadn’t fallen into Evil’s deadly trap. But the wondrous life she once knew is gone, forever lost in a moment of enticement and disobedience. For Heart, there is no mercy, no forgiveness, no second chances for the mess she made of her life. Just like the Creator warned her, Heart had met her deadly fate. Day by day, bit by bit her life was hopelessly ebbing away.
And there, in the deepest pit of grief and despair, Heart met a Man. Maybe it was the twinkle in His eyes, or the love in His voice that reminded her of her Creator. Whatever it was, His mere presence gave her hope.
“You’ve got a nasty wound there I see,” the Man said with compassion.
Shamefully, Heart hung her head and whispered tearfully, “I know. I’ve doctored it myself, but the infection only gets worse. I can’t fix it and don’t know anyone who can.
The Man smiled, remembering each moment He spent creating her. Now, as her redeemer He comes to her through His crucified, resurrected Son, Jesus Christ.
“I can heal your wound,” Jesus said.
“You can?” Heart asked, her eyes gleaming with joy.” How?”
“Just trust and believe.”
“That’s it?”
“That’s it. Do you trust Me?”
Remembering what she had before she threw it all away and wanting it back again, Heart cried,”Yes!” With all my heart I trust you!”
Tenderly, Jesus pressed Heart against His chest, joyful to have her in His arms again. And from the crimson fountain of His own throbbing heart, He forgave her, washed her clean, healed her deadly wound and gave her everlasting life.
Now, Heart is happy as she laughs and talks with her Creator, ever learning about the One and only God in her life.
“The Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7).
“For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life” (Psalm 56:13).
~ Sandi
Straight from the Heart 