The King and the Maiden

Many years ago in a far-away land there lived a king of a mighty nation who was like no other king. All of the nearby nations trembled at his power. No one dared to speak against him, for he had the power to crush any opponent. He had riches, power, and a beautiful castle - but, alas, he had no wife. He was lonely.

On day, when traveling through a remote village in his kingdom, he met a village lass. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever met, and he fell promptly in love with her. When he returned to his castle, he could not forget this humble village servant girl. How could he declare his love for her? He could express his desire to those around him, and his command would be done. He could express his love to the servant girl, of course, and she would not deny him. She would even say she loved him; but would she really love him? Would she be happy with him - even if he gave her the finest robes and jewelry? The king wanted a lover, not an equal. He wanted her heart. How could he solve his problem?

After much thought, the king found a solution. He laid aside his fine robes, clothed himself as a servant journeyman, disguised himself, and traveled to the remote village. There he lived as a servant, courting the maiden, until he had won her heart. Then he revealed to her who he really was and married the maiden.

Now isn't this what God has done? He has the power to speak the world into existence, to heal any illness, and to grant us the deepest desires of our hearts. But he loves us, and that complicates things. Love always complicates things. Christ came into our "village" disguised as a servant to win our hearts. There is a difference, however. There is an Enemy who will try to steal your heart. It cost Christ his life. There have been few people I have met who are afraid of the dark. I have met many, however, who are afraid of the light. Held in bondage by an Enemy who knows our heart better than we know it ourselves, we live in the bondage afraid to risk.

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(based on a story by Kierkegaard)