“Are you going to tell me where we are going yet,” asked Sarah. “I think I have trusted you quite a bit already and you owe me something.”
Ezekiel stopped. “Listen,” he said. “Do you hear that?”
“Hear what,” asked Sarah.
“The crickets, the frogs, the trees rustling in the wind. Close your eyes, Sarah. It is a chorus. The soundtrack of the night. This is a gift that God has given us. You said earlier that we do not have music. But yes we do. And I would say that this music given to us directly by the Lord above is better than anything that you have in heard in your earbuds.” Ezekiel seemed to be transfixed by the sounds.
“Yes, I can hear it.” Sarah closed her eyes. “Yes, that really is wonderful.” Sarah was not being sarcastic but genuinely loved the sounds. She felt a sense of peace come over, one that she had not felt for a long time. She smiled, hoping that it was too dark for Ezekiel to see.
“Sarah, I hope you are not beginning to get your first taste of joy,” said Ezekiel jokingly. “Come, we must continue ahead. We cannot stay here.
“I thought this is what you…” Ezekiel grabbed her hand and dragged Sarah along. He started to run faster than before and with all of the trees Sarah could not keep up unless she held tight to Ezekiel and trusted that he knew the way. He kept a steady speed for a while and Sarah felt like there was no way that she could continue. Then he slowed down and then stopped.
“Are we there yet,” asked Sarah as she tried to catch her breath.
“We have reached the creek. We must cross here to get to our destination. But we must be quick, for we don’t have much time.”
Time for what? Sarah couldn’t imagine what they could possibly be late for. Was he anxious to show her a midnight barn raising?
“The only way to cross is on those stones in the creek. You can’t see them very easily, but I know exactly where they are and will be able to guide you,” explained Ezekiel. I will go over first, and then you will come after.
Ezekiel looked for the familiar spot that he crossed. He found it immediately and then readied himself to jump. It was not a long leap, but it was a bit more than a stop. He landed securely with perfect balance.
“See there is nothing to it,” he said with a hint of glee in his voice. He readied himself for the next jump and again landed securely without losing his balance at all. Sarah was impressed. “There is only one more stone that I have to land on. It is close to the other side, and from there I can just step to dry land. The last jump is the hardest though.”
Ezekiel made sure that he was secure, and then got ready to jump. He pushed off harder this time, and landed on the third stone. But this time he wobbled a little bit before regaining his balance.
“See that last one is tough. I almost fell in.” Ezekiel stepped to the other side of the creek. “Now it is your turn.”
“I don’t know if I can do this,” said Sarah. “I will fall into the water, and it is freezing cold. There is no way I can do this.”
“Yes you can,” said Ezekiel, trying to assure her. “Just have faith. Remember you have to experience it. Now is your chance. Trust me.”
Have faith. But what does this have to do with God? Sarah determined that she would try to make it across. Ezekiel had been true so far. She would trust him. The first stone was barely visible in the darkness, and Sarah felt that she would barely be able to make it. She crouched down to make the jump. She sprang into the air and then to her relief felt the solid stone beneath her feet. She had successfully made the first jump.
“Great job, Sarah. This next one is easier,” said Ezekiel, cheering her on.
Sarah readied herself and made the jump. This time with more confidence than before. She landed securely on the stone. “Look at me, I am doing it.”
“You are Sarah, you are doing a great job. Now this last jump is the hardest and it might look like it is impossible for you right now. But I am over here and I will catch you if you are going to fall off. You just have to trust me that I won’t let you get hurt,” said Ezekiel.
“Okay, I am going to make the jump.” Sarah crouched down and this time pushed down with all of her might. She closed her eyes when she was in the air for fear of seeing the ice cold water below. She would rather hit it without seeing it coming. She felt the hard rock beneath her feet, but she struck it with so much force that she couldn’t keep her balance. Sarah opened her eyes and saw nothing but the trees swirling around her. She was going to fall. Then, right before she fell completely off of the rock, she felt Ezekiel catch her in his strong arms.