One day, on a long journey to freedom:
A pilgrim "would" battle many thoughts of progress.
Slowly, he treads the road to the city of redemption.
Stealthily, the enemy trails behind; throwing darts
To weaken his desire to know the unknown.
...Past failures and unseen dangers clad his mind.
Dreary and clumsily, he walks weary and alone.
Slowly, his desires gives in to anxiety and fear.
The road he came from was easier than this.
There seems not to be anymore still voices:
That assures him of his presence and peace;
Those were the days he fondled him like a baby.
But now he has to be prepared: and made ready;
To cease to be a child; but a son.
Great responsibility, demands greater preparation!
He questions His silence but receives a response:
"My grace will lead you through the race.
I perfect strength in weaknesses.
I hide with a smile in storms and clouds"
He goes down the valley of despair;
Loses sight of those beams of hope.
The strange voices now buffet his feeble heart:
He never experienced heartbreak nor betrayal,
Pangs of agony and strife clad his wandering mind.
The wind of confusion begins to blow;
The only companion seems to be the lurker.
He halts!...the roads are plenty and same.
The clew is to remain on the narrow lane;
The narrower the lane the more correct the road.
...At every half a mile he was told to do so.
...The rest took longer than normal but off he goes:
Following the ancient path to glory.
As he leaves the valley, drops of rain began:
His desires returns, his clad mind blossoms.
The strange voices ceases, even the gaunt face.
Then: a sparkle of joy, a ray of hope and heaves of peace.
...The flesh is buffeted, but the spirit is renewed.
His visions returns and he gazes towards the mountain.
...Then, down he goes in a deep rest just at the apex.
As he slept, a messenger of light was sent:
Who always comes to succor him in his plight.
''Few remains the paces that leads to him he said!
Arise! oh weary traveller for the banquet is ready:
Guard your loins, take up your shield and flung your sword;
Ready your feet, eat more and move forward!
Take some elixir of his grace portion.
Lift up your eyes and behold your inhertance".
With this soothing words; strength came on him.
Step by step, stride by stride he climbed;
Towards the mountain of his inheritance: his abundance.
Through the fountain of his knowledge: his hope and pride.
To the city of the redeemed; on the hill of heights.
Which awaits the prudent: the diligent and the patient.
The journey to freedom is by: hope, faith and love.
Hope inspired him to have faith in what love provided.
The wilderness was dry and lonely; but he remained obedient:
Following patiently those ancient paths to glory and splendor.
Now the pilgrim enjoys his eternal inheritance:
Reserved for sons who desired to follow him.
The journey seemed futile and gleam at the first glance;
But now his glee silences his ignorance.
The lines have fallen upon him in pleasant places.
With the hind like a deer, he traced this race:
He wouldn't have to repeat it again to this plain.
The pilgrim will now prepare for another journey:
For a purposeful journey to a higher ground;
But then, not through the wilderness of Baca.
Psalms: 84. 5. Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee in whose heart are the ways of them.
Psalms: 84. 6. Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.
Culled from "echoes from a distant voice 2011"
By Daniel Igwe.
