We were young. Clean air in our lungs. Citizens of a purpose, a plan, a vision. The Spirit was poured over us and hovered above the earth. With every breath we took it filled us, and gave us worth. Power and comfort. Truth and love. Life and birth. Carefully sustained in the absence of pain, but still wild things. Free range, free will, unchained. Independence in a sovereign domain. We weren’t alone. The spirit of deception and accusation was in our midst, with clever curses on his lips. We tasted his kiss and experienced sin. In shame, we hid ourselves away, turning from our purpose we strayed into disdain. Cheap thrills and imitations unable to sustain the world that was put in place for us to exist. Now there are curses on our lips. Was the creator responsible for all of this? So we became our own gods and masters. Unleashing a torrent of brokenness and disaster. Kings and kingdoms. War and death will plague the earth until there’s nothing left. Lust and greed planted a seed that grew into a beast that feeds on the weak and in the midst of all of this grief…He speaks. He breathes peace. He gives dreams. In quiet places men begin to hear the voice of God calling them near. “Do not fear, for I am with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. There is truth and there is virtue. Follow me into my plan, my purpose, my promised land. From you will come another that will be both your king and your brother. He will lead you out of this hell you have uncovered. He will be your living hope. The word made flesh. In him you’ll find rest until all things return to me and the whole world will finally see the glory of the one true king!”

-Vagrant Saint

John 3:16-17

(Art= German Painter: Andreas Achenbach 1815-1910)