The young girl sat hunched in the back of a taxi cab wondering why her parents had called her Hope. If this evening went well she would have to invent another name to fit her new image. The driver shouted "Is this okay love or do you want me to park outside the club". "No thanks" she replied "this is just fine, there's already a crowd outside, I'll walk the rest of the way". "Okay" shouted the driver "take care, its pretty rough around here this time of night" and as he pulled away from the kerb he wondered why such a nice kid was half naked on such a bleak miserable winter's night. "She's sending out the wrong signals" he muttered to himself. The weekend would bring its share of drugged and drunk kids who staggered, collapsed and vomited all over his leather seats and he had to clean it up. She would probably end up in the gutter along with her mates. What a wasted generation.
Hope started to walk down the dimly lit street. Her life had changed quite suddenly when she won a competition to meet her idol. This third session was just a publicity shoot, but it was a start. Seen in his presence she might even make it into the daily papers.
The Door keeper stood in the shadows by a shabby front door in a block of old terraced houses. He appeared to be whispering to someone.
They have to realise their need
They have to ask
They can't be forced
The Door keeper observed the approaching figure her stiletto heels clicking on the wet pavement. The cold foggy night air wrapped around her, painted face and skimpy skirt advertising her intent. The Door keeper spoke "you must be cold in that outfit". She turned in the direction of the voice and saw a very ordinary man dressed in a large shabby overcoat. There was nothing desirable about him yet his gaze seemed compassionate and concerned. "Are you going somewhere exciting" he asked. "Yes" she replied "I won a competition a few weeks ago to meet Resucca, have you heard of him?" she went on "he's got a wonderful voice. He usually comes back to his roots every now and again. The club at the end of the street was where he got started, photographers and fans are already waiting for his arrival. I am his guest for the night. Its so exciting, he thinks I have great potential and that with his help I could go far. He is very very rich now" she whispered in total awe and leaving the figure in the doorway she continued down the street towards the neon lights and noisy crowd.
A black stretch limo rolled slowly around the corner and parked outside the grubby venue. Its contents spilled on to the roadway. Resucca stood six foot five inches tall, darkly handsome simply oozing charm. His body guards formed a circle protecting him from the screaming women and a sea of clutching hands. He saw Hope as she teetered down the street and smiled. She moved eagerly in his direction. She didn't smell the sulfur, hear the crackle of burning souls, see the trail of his victims or the beautifully embellished box into which he planned, in due course, to place her soul. She trembled, was it excitement or fear she wasn't sure.
One wrong step and her heel caught in a grid cover and she was down to the mocking laughter of his bodyguards. The pain in her ankle was excruciating but she was more concerned about her appearance, ripped tights, torn skirt, wet and dirty and where was her handbag? A wave of nausea swept over her.
Strong arms reached down and gently lifted her. A warm overcoat covered her frail body and
she fainted. Ressuca glanced over his shoulder as he was pushed into the foyer of the club. He knew the Door keeper. There would be another time, he would wait, there would be other meetings. She was taking the bait. He liked them innocent and hungry, the thrill of the chase.
The shabby door opened into a small cosy room. A fire blazed in the grate. The Door keeper relieved of his burden drew the chair closer to the warmth, placed his hand on the broken bones, closed his eyes and whispered strange words to an unseen companion, then he sat and waited.
She was unaware of the passage of time but the pain had eased. The Door keeper spoke "would you like to share my simple supper, its just a bowl of chicken soup, Jewish penicillin they call it" he laughed, its really good for you, here have some bread as well". She nodded her reply enquiring "are you Jewish" he laughed again "but of course" She didn't realise how hungry she was and the soup tasted so good.
He spoke "the man you were meeting, does he have a plan for you?" The girl replied "I'm not sure, he promises many things. He considers I have a good voice and could have a really bright future, but I need a nose job, my teeth need attention and I would have to dress, well, appropriately. My Mum always used to say "its feathers that make the bird" but everything costs so much. He says I would be worth his investment, he has already given me expensive presents and I have only know him a few weeks.
The Door keeper smiled sadly. The child had such low self esteem and like so many of her peer group had been seduced by the siren call of materialism, air brushed beauty, constantly dissatisfied with their own appearance and envying celebrities and their indulgent life styles.
The Door keeper spoke "The man you were meeting has friends in governments and palaces around the world. You have choices to make Hope" She questioned "how do you know my name" he smiled and continued "but those who chose this man's friendship and gifts inevitably pay the ultimate price, yes they have fame and just about anything money can buy and yet they always want more, it is never enough.
My followers know nothing of wealth. They are often rejected, despised, persecuted, ridiculed and hated. Some even lose their very lives standing for my Truth, but their treasure is in my home.
As He spoke another door opened and she saw a landscape of incredible beauty. There was something slightly familiar about the scene. Perhaps thousands of years ago the earth might have looked the same, before man discovered concrete and asphalt, destroyed trees and living creatures in the name of greed. People walked there, the atmosphere was one of harmony, joy, the air filled with the sounds of laughter and music. She found herself in the hall of a huge white building. She reached to touch the surface of one of the many pillars supporting the ceiling. It was smooth, white and unblemished, having the appearance of marble. Young people walked in and out of the many doors, into the lawned gardens, laughing and greeting each other as they went.
The door slammed shut. She turned to face the Door keeper. Just look at me. I see a fat ugly person,
but He knew the truth, she had starved herself at every opportunity to look like the skeletal women she worshipped. I would have given anything to have a perfect figure, flawless skin, how could anyone think me beautiful.
The Door keeper smiled "I do, I see your soul. Very few can handle what you desire, even those who think they are strong, it eventually destroys them. The Door keeper rose. His shabby clothes fell away. Pure light radiated from his very being and in that light she saw her tattered dress, her filthy rags. She crumpled to her knees, she knew she was lost and unworthy to be in this man's presence. But most of all she now knew who He was "Forgive me" she whispered, "help me, please"
She found herself back in the street. An irritated photographer yelled "you are late, are you coming or not. Resucca does not like being kept waiting. "NOT" she shouted back.
Hope was reborn and renewed that night. Friends she confided in suggested she had imagined the whole thing and missed her golden opportunity for success, fame and fortune, but she held fast to the vision.
Seven years passed and another taxi drew to a halt in the same little street. "Is that okay Pastor" the driver shouted "That's fine" she replied. "Busy night ahead then" he asked "yes and its getting worse there are so many people living rough everywhere, the authorities keep moving them on, keeping them as far as they can from the gated communities of the rich. Time is short, we need to get the message out, we know we can't save them all, we do what we can for their practical needs, stand in the gap, and leave them in the Father's hands. We hold fast to His promise:
Revelation
21 - 4
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes;
there shall be no more death, sorrow or crying.
There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.
"You'll get your reward in heaven then" he joked and she doubted he really believed that one. "Take care" he shouted "its really rough out there at this time of night" she laughed "no problem" she replied "I'm meeting John and Paul, they'd scare the hell out of anyone" and she chuckled at her own humour.
"Thanks anyway, good night, God bless.
He watched as the slight figure wearing dark trousers and black jacket with the emblem STREET PASTOR walked towards the shabby old door. "I'm sure I've seen that woman somewhere" he muttered to himself as he drove into the night.
John 10 (9)
Yeshua said "I am the door.
If anyone enters by Me he will be saved,
and will go in and out and find pasture.
