LOVE LIKE HIS - Chapter 38 - A PETITION
Across town, Gary has Detective Cromwell on his mind. It's hard to imagine, but just a week ago, Gary had no idea who Cromwell was, and he was the furthest thing from his mind. Over the last week though, he has been firmly placed near the front of his thoughts on a daily basis.
These two men have so much in common, and have shared rare experiences in life with the loss of their wives and children, and yet, they almost couldn't be more different.
It seems that there is only one choice that separates these two men, and Gary begins to pray that Cromwell will finally make that choice.
Gary's prayer isn't exactly a solemn, calculated, religious prayer. It is more of a natural conversation, like a man would have with a close friend, or kind relative. Truth be told, he's just sharing his thoughts and asking for help, making a petition on Cromwell's behalf.
"Father, I can't even grasp the effect that Cromwell has had on me this week. Sure, I've been pressed and tested, but I believe that I have been faithful in it. It's remarkable to see how naturally everything has come with Ray's transition and our interaction together, especially with Cromwell distracting us."
"I thank you so much for keeping us safe, even more so after seeing how volatile he is."
"I had no idea what was going to happen in the interrogation room, or on the bridge. Honestly, in my flesh I am scared, but I know that you are in control. Thank you for giving me boldness to speak the truth."
"Lord, I ask that you would be comforting Timothy right now. He's still mourning the loss of his family, and he harbors so much resentment. I know that he feels robbed and wronged, but he just doesn't understand. He doesn't know you like I do, and he has no real clue about sin."
"Man likes to categorize sin and blame you for not preventing the 'big ones' committed by others. I know that you take sin much more seriously than we do, and that to you murder is not all that different from lying or lusting. Man often wants you to prevent others from murdering or raping people, but they would never want you to stop them from lusting or lying."
"How would they even want you to stop those things anyway?"
"If you gave us what we deserved just for thinking about committing those sins, you'd kill us the second that we ever thought about them. If you just stopped us some how, then none of us would be able to choose to do anything. There would be no choice. Effectually, we would all be robots."
"But with you, it always comes down to a choice, for you will not force anyone. Sure, you'll encourage them to choose properly, buy you love us too much to force us. Love doesn't force."
"Love leaves room for a choice, and love is a choice. You want us to choose to love you, because of all that you have done for us. I know that we all choose to sin, and you did not have to have Jesus die in our place, as our substitute. If we will receive the forgiveness that you choose to offer, then we can be forgiven. However, you will let us reject your offer of love and forgiveness too."
"It sounds like Timothy's wife chose to receive your forgiveness, and tried to encourage him to make the same choice. So far, he's rejected you, Lord. I have see how you used the tragedy in my life to call Ray out of darkness into the light of your truth, but I wasn't sure how much farther I could reach. However, you knew from time eternal that the detective and I would both go through this, and I can't help but believe that is why you have brought us together now."
"Father, help me in this time, but more importantly, help Timothy."
"He's so desperate and hopeless right now. Please, revive his conscience and reveal his sin unto him. Make him fully aware of his need to be forgiven, and help him understand how powerful your all consuming forgiveness is. Help him to understand that everything that I am doing for Ray right now is because of your love for him, and the power of your forgiveness."
"Please, let him know that he can have that same love for those that the world would say are his enemies. Let him know that even a burden as heavy as the one that he is carrying can be lifted, once and for all. Help him to know that he can have joy, and peace, and love. Let him understand that it all comes down to his choice. Help him make the choice tonight."
"Father, help him to choose you, now, tonight! Before it is too late!"
THE END OF CHAPTER 38
Thank you, and stay tuned for LOVE LIKE HIS : Chapter 39 - Coming soon to a steemit near you!
Until next time…
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