River of Darkness

I stand chest deep in a river of darkness. I can feel the torments ripping at my soul. The torrents cut at me day and night, trying to overwhelm me. My strength could never be enough.

Behind me is a shore, lined with people too scared to take the plunge. They walked with heads bowed, and huge burdens on their shoulders. I stand tall and proud, even through the pain. I call to them, but they cannot hear and they cannot see. Their burdens hide the truth from them.

I walk on, each step a stumble and each moment an agony. I am propelled by a will and a desire, because I have seen what is on the far side of this dark river. I would give anything to collapse and let the currents wash me away, but He holds my hand and supports my weight.

I do not know how far across the river I am, or if the other side is reachable, but I trudge on. He is the only thing that keeps me pressing on, so I must rely on Him to take me there. For my part, I cannot step down or cower as the people behind me do. Their existence is a mere shadow of life, and I can no longer bear that world of oppression.

The fear to press on is great, almost rooting me to the spot. My movement has become slow, but the will driving me on grows stronger. I long to get to the other side, to find the place that He promised me.