I Hear Voices (Jesus' temptation reimagined)

As I emerge from the cool river, I perceive what sounds like thunder.

But as I listen more closely, I hear it.

A Voice. A Voice I've known all my life.

"I love you. You fill me with pleasure."

I soak in the joy I feel, resting in that I am known and loved. Fully and deeply.

I want to stay here forever.

But I can't. As much as I would like to, I feel compelled in my Spirit to go.

To go where, I'm not completely sure.

But I must go.

Away from all that's familiar.

Away from all that's comforting.

And I must go alone, my only companions being the sacred words of my ancestors and the consistent reminder of the truth that I am loved.

Fully and deeply.

I wander the dry and the dreary by day and rest in the cool and craggy by night, surviving on a small stream in a hidden cave I venture precariously into.

I settle down to rest my weary and aching body.

I hear something other than the sound of the water trickling. I hear voices.

Unkind ones. Accusing ones. Threatening ones.

I am unsure if I am having a nightmare brought on by my lack of sustenance or if the voices are as real as the rock underneath my head.

But this I know for sure.

I am afraid.

Repeating the words of the Voice from the river to myself, I quiet the terrifying voices briefly, but find myself completely exhausted, yet unable to sleep.

I hunger for that not-long-ago day.

As daylight comes, I feel a twinge of relief, but as the dark of night descends, the voices return.

This time, they are louder.

Meaner. Angrier. Scarier.

As I succumb to discouragement and fear, the reassuring whisper of the Voice I have known all my life finds its way to me.

"I will hold you. I will protect you."

I speak these words, this time out loud, again and again, until I finally drift back into a fitful sleep.

I awake in the morning, somewhat refreshed, convinced that I have silenced the voices.

And as the day wears on, I trust that it is true.

As the moon rises and my fatigued body and Spirit seek respite, sleep comes quickly, but not for long.

I am startled awake, heart racing and palms sweating.

The voices are back. Deafening. Menacing.

I scream, trying in desperation to silence them.

"Stop! Stop! Please stop!"

I can't stay here anymore.

As I rush from the cave, I perceive what sounds like thunder.

But as I listen more closely, I hear it.

A Voice. A Voice I've known all my life.

"I hear you.

I see you.

I am with you.

I am for you.

And never forget that I love you."

I head back into the blackness, lie down in the stillness and fall into the deepest of sleep.

All is quiet.

The voices are gone.

I soak in the joy I feel, able to rest.

I am known and loved.

Fully and deeply.

I want to stay here forever.