SINNERS 7

Milady

The sting of another slap against my cheek sent my head to the left from the impact, a beast that resembled the stature of the Hulk, I wonder if he would turn Green. The shaggy dark hair that is neatly tied up in a man bun made me admire his features, slight mocha stubble against his golden skin which made me ache down south. Sue me, facial hair gets me all steamed up. I stared into those lime green orbs that glowed within the darkness, enhancing the beast that resided within him. His starchy formal shirt had the sleeves folded to his elbows, revealing the delicious veins that strained against his skin, palms the size of my face which ultimately reminded me of the Hulk.

The matching slacks that hugged his muscular thighs, buttons undone which revealed a slight peek of his chest. Indeed, I indulged in my magnificent torturer.

My scrutiny is cut short when another searing sting landed upon my already bruised cheek, this time my face knocked to the right. The jolts of electricity coursing through the warmth of my body, an overwhelming sensation of being engulfed in flames brought me excitement, letting fits of laughter escape my cut lips. The Hulk halted his assault, the pain from my hysterical laughs causing cramps to arise in my battered body.

‘Oh My God!’, is that the best you can do baby boy?’ I teased.

The way his features remained still, unmoving. Words didn’t escape his lips, taunting didn’t seem to bother him. The Hulk is the man for the job since my corrupt personality wouldn’t detour him from his task at hand.

After a few more slaps, I couldn’t feel a thing only the constant fire that started to eat away at my fibres. Which made me break out in giggles as I shook my body, this moment is entertaining and I most certainly didn’t want it to stop.

The Hulk stared at me, for a second his features shifted and he was bewildered at my state, more like my sanity.

‘You are insane,’ his stern voice stated.

‘Awww, your so sweet. Come On!, do it again…” I taunted in delight, moving my cheek closer to his vicinity.

On cue, his fist came crashing against my cheek, this time as my faced swung left, I could taste the metallic liquid glistening upon my tongue, spitting it on the floor I faced him, a satisfied grin and a wicked smile morphed together.

The Hulk substantially expected me to cry and plead for my life, Honey you are in for a rude awakening. His orbs grew wide as saucers, completely stunned with my glee aura.

‘Now that’s better,’ I praised, licking my teeth.

In a swift move, The Hulk came down hard, punching from all angles against my bruised and swollen body, my face swinging at an unimaginable pace, laugher resonating in hysterics from my lips.

The heat expanding upon my face and escalating throughout my body. Increasing my temperature, making me giggle uncontrollably at my pleasure for pain. Each punch felt like a tickle against my skin, the taste of the metallic liquid again, delicious as I bit on my busted lip. The sight in my left eye slightly blurring, from the swelling that started.

I coughed out the oxygen I suddenly felt choking on from the constant snickers that passed through me.

The Adrenaline coursing through my veins made me crave each ache that threatened to take over me. ‘Oh this is so much fun.’ I cheered.

His thick chocolate brows furrowed in confusion.

‘What, you thought I was going to cry and beg for my life,’ I curiously asked, raising my eyebrow at him.

‘They all do,’ he blurted out, surprised at his own words.

‘Sweetheart, this is the most fun I have had in along time. I should be thanking you,’ I beamed.

A genuine smile formed upon his coral plump lips, ‘Hopefully that’s how you feel in the next couple days.’

I stared at that smile that seemed forged from the sun, something innocent that rested upon a Sinner. ‘You should smile more often, it suits you,’ I added.

The Hulk expression shifted at my statement, almost like he became torn in that moment. He turned his back to near the door, his fingers about to grasp the handle.

‘Why are you leaving, they won’t let me off this easy in reality and you know that. Best do your job Hulk otherwise I might die because you took it easy on me,’ I sang, attempting to pry him back into the room.

‘What if I kill you?’ I faintly heard him whisper…

‘Hulk, do your job!’ I flatly stated.

Hulk’s back muscles strained against the shirt, I could see the shift in them. A few minutes passed by before he turned around to walk back to me, a growl escaping his lips as I could particularly make out steam seeping from his nostrils. He landed another fist into my stomach, the accumulation of agony draining my muscles and this still brought amusement to me. A sadistic laugh flowed through my cells.

After, I couldn’t even find the strength to lift up my head, muscles aching while the temperature increased. Energy, demolished within hours of Hulk’s handy work. Hulk walked to the door, this time I did hear him. ‘I am sorry.’

Before he could close the door behind him, ‘Same time tomorrow,’ I screamed in joy.

His bun moved back and forth, a slight chuckle escaped his lips. ‘Your going to fit right in,’ before closing the door behind him and turning the light off.

A WEEK LATER…

I assume from these past couple of days, the suffering they attempted to cause me didn’t work, I only craved each moment. Surprisingly, they didn’t bother to physically scar me just attempting to emotionally. Sure, my body is lathered in bruises of purple and blue but not once did they decorate it with a trusty knife. This purposely backed them into a corner, to cause temporary damage and as much pain as possible.

Which resulted in, three broken ribs within a short amount of time. What they didn’t expect to happen is for me to rejoice in the event, to take pleasure from the experience. I could almost catch a glimpse of terror in their eyes when they continued to torture me, some also peeked with fascination.

My posture hunched over in the same chair, sweat trickling down my body. I Haven’t had food in the span of my time here and water is limited to sips that would sustain my survival. Its obvious the tactic is to attempt to break my mentally from the inside. Only, it didn’t even phase me in slightest but I found it intriguing at my capabilities.

The humidity within the room made my dress stick like a second skin. Inhaling and exhaling at a controlled pace that didn’t make my brain kick into a frenzy.

The door opened for the second time today and I faintly made out the person.

‘Hulk, twice in one day. I’m honoured,’ I teased.

‘I know you are,’ he playfully remarked.

‘So, what’s your weapon of choice today baby, finally using a knife?’

He shook his head, ‘Sadly Not!’….

I raised my eyebrow intrigued by him when he commanded, ‘Bring it in.’

Two men suddenly appeared, similar in stature to the Hulk. They where pushing in a gigantic metal tub that was filled to the brim with water, the tub had enough space to fit the Hulk in. They situated it in front of me before going back outside, just when I thought they dampened my fun. In they walked with four bags of Ice. Ripping apart each plastic, on either side of the tub, the ice flowed into it.

The water seemingly escaping its confinements as it messed the floor. The Hulk’s minions racked their fingers vigorously through ebony waves which concealed their features.

When the tub is filled with its assortments, I found the ultimate goal in this specific attempt.

‘Finally, I needed a bath,’ I rejoiced.

Minions apparently didn’t know about me since they turned in the direction of the Hulk, he nodded his head which I’m fairly certain meant, Yes, this Bitch is crazy.

When the line of communication ran thin, both minions retreated behind me, untying my legs before breaking the backrest of the wooden chair off, which meant they didn’t want to untie my wrists. I raised my eyebrow at the Hulk for an explanation. ‘You will try to escape,’ he answered.

‘Makes sense.’ I hummed.

The minions held my wrists in their tight grip, I stared at the ice bath. The reflection of my distorted figure appearing in it, the Hulk walked over to me.

‘What, not the two of us anymore,’ I pouted in disappointment.

‘Afraid not,’ he remarked.

Instantly they threw my body inside the tub, the heat that crippled my skin contrasted with the iceberg that I am surged in sent stings of needles throughout my body. As I came up for air, my vision slightly blurred from the water, I spat the contents that filled my lungs from the surprise.

Words were on the tip of my tongue before I felt my hair being harshly yanked back under, strong hands holding me down. The temperature changed, a sizzling sensation boiling the blood in my veins. I could feel the water filling my lungs once again before they pulled me back up.

I left no room to think, taking in a gulp of air as I spat the water out. The moment is short lived when they repeated their action, only this time I didn’t thrash my body around. I solely focused my energy on not inhaling, controlling the anatomy of my brain.

Dependant on the air in my lungs, my muscles fading into the agony that I Welcomed.

My Body rigid as I felt them sprout out incoherent echoed words. I waited, patiently as they pulled me back up. I didn’t move or breathe, one of them started lightly slapping my face. From another perspective, my limbs where lose when I fell into the Hulk’s arms against the tub.

‘Shit, did she drown?’ One of them asked, his scorching breath against my tempered skin.

At those words, I smirked. Smugly opening my eyes as I head butted the Hulk’s face, hard. The throb in my head making me snicker as I smashed the Hulk’s face into the metal tub that slightly knocked him unconscious. Minion number one is about to drag me back under, when I elbowed him in the face and grabbed his collar, tugging him under. I waited, studying the way he struggled, a satisfied smile appearing on my lips. I felt my control slip, the texture of something covering my mouth, the discomfort of my body succumbing to its drowsiness as my lids felt heavy and I put them out of its misery.

Editors Foot Note:-

Out of Us Will Flow Streams of Living Water….

The Authors Scripture use a lot of metaphors. One of the most common is ‘Water’, as in ‘Living Waters’. a ‘Well Watered Garden’ and ‘Streams in the Desert’. In general, the use of water, especially Living Water, symbolizes the Holy Spirit, Healing, the Spirit - Filled life, and the Kingdom of God. Some of my favourite uses of water in Scripture symbolizing life, healing and the Spirit are:

‘And he shall be like a tree firmly planted and tended by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its Fruit in its season, its leaf also shall not fade or wither’ Ps 1:3

‘Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs.’ Is 35:6-7

‘For I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. The wild animals honour me, the Jackals and the Owls, because I provide water in the desert and streams in the wasteland to give a drink to my people, my chosen, the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise.’ Is 43::19-21

‘Wait and Listen, everyone who is thirty! ‘Come’ to the waters, and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Yes, ‘Come’, buy priceless spiritual wine and milk without money and without price simply for the self- surrender that accepts the Blessing.’ Is 55:1

‘The Lord will guide you always. He will satisfy your needs in a Sun-Scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.’ Is 58:11 - this Book was always given when I fast…..

Also see Jeremiah 17:8 & Ezekiel 47:7-12 for more example of water used to symbolize healing and salvation.

In the New Testament, three references to Water come to my mind…

Jesus, speaking to the Samaritan woman, said. ‘If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked Him and He would have given you Living Waters.’ After she replies to Jesus. He tells her this. ‘Jesus answered, everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst indeed, the Waters I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up (Flowing, bubbling continually) to eternal life.; Jn 4:10-13

To me this spring is life in the KINGDOM OF GOD - which is eternal life that begins now.

Then there is the iconic statement of Jesus on the steps of the Temple during the Feast of the Tabernacle when the Priests pray for rain. ‘ Now on the final and most important day of the Feast. Jesus stood, and he cried in a loud voice. ‘IF any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink! He who believes in me, who cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me, as the Scripture has said. (some believe Jesus is referring to Isaiah 58:11), from his innermost being shall flow continuously springs and rivers of living water’. But He was speaking here of the Spirit, (Whom those who believed, trusted, had Faith in Him were afterward to receive.’ Jn : 7-37

Finally in Revelation Water is used to symbolize life, healing and the Kingdom of God. Under the heading ‘The River of Life’ John writes. ‘Then the angel showed me the ‘river of the water of life’, as clear as crystal, flowing from the Throne of God and the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit-yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for healing of the nations.’ Rev 22:1-2. This passage evokes the images of Ezekiel 47..

These are powerful versus using Water to represent life, healing, the Holy Spirit, and the Kingdom of God in both the Old and New Testaments. You are undoubtedly familiar with these and other verses in which the writers used water as a powerful metaphor. So here is a question with an obvious answer and, I think, a not-so-obvious answer- Why Water???

Firstly, obviously water is the essence of life. No water, no Blood and blood is necessary for the cleansing from Sin. We are mostly water. We can live without Food for a long time, we can only live without water for a few days. Even mild dehydration causes physical problems. Water is necessary for all life. In these passages water symbolizes God’s life in us. He will make streams flow in the desert - His life flowing into us, restoring us from the wasteland of self-deception and selfishness that is our home in the kingdom of the world, AKA the kingdom of self.

Life in the Kingdom of self is empty, a wasteland filled with thirsty people. Life in the Kingdom of God is like a well-watered garden. In the Kingdom we are like trees planted by streams whose leaves are always Green and who never fail to bear fruit (Fruit of the Spirit) even in times of Christ. Water also symbolizes the Healing power of God and the abundant life that Jesus gives us.

I believe that there is another not-so-obvious-answer to the question about why water is used so often in the Bible. Flowing water, which is living water, not stagnant or still water, has incredible power to shape and sculpt landscape. It erodes, transports particles, and deposits sediment when the rushing stream or river decelerates. Much of the land surface of the earth is modified by living or flowing water. Lofty mountain ranges are reduced to hills, valleys are filled in and levelled, and once flat regions are incised and turned into steep gorges. Moving water can break down almost any barrier and cut through any rock, given enough time. No earth process is more capable of tearing down any building up than flowing water in the long-term (and even in the short-term for catastrophic floods, which are probably more common in the geologic record than we recognize).

Jesus says that out of us will flow streams of living waters - water that will bring life to a dead and dying world, streams of water that will heal in Jesus’ name. But the water that flows out of us will also be powerful - powerful enough to destroy enemy strongholds in our hearts, destructive mindsets and patterns of thinking and living, demonic attacks on us and others, the power of the flesh, spirits of infirmity, and spiritual, emotional, and physical illnesses. The power of living water has the capacity of washing away every word, thought, action, and manifestation of Satan in our lives, in the lives of others, and in the world around us. In the long run, and sometimes in minutes or hours, living water will erode and remove the obstacles and impediments erected by the Devil to prevent the restoration of God’s creation - both for one person and ultimately the entire universe.

Nothing can stop ’Living Water’ - mountains, rocks, and man’s efforts to channel and contain flowing water with large amounts of concrete will all succumb to the power of rivers over time.

The victory is certain. And nowhere in Scripture does it say that Satan can release rivers of water. Water in the Bible is life and power. It brings healing and wholeness.

‘Rivers of Living Waters’ is another way of describing the Kingdom of God. God I believe, is telling us ’Nothing can stand in my way. I will tear down the proud, the high and mighty. I will build up the lowly and the humble, and I will destroy the fortified cities and the works of the enemy in your hearts and in the world. I will make level the way You can count on it!’

And to me, here is the most amazing thin this water will flow out of us! We are the aroma of Christ, the Salt of the earth, the Light of the World, and the source of living water into a dying world.

Yikes! Really! Me? Are we Ready for this? It is of course, not my light of my water. It is Christ in me. I don’t do the work - He does. But still - God are you sure you made the right Choice? Apparently He is sure. We are important to God, we are valuable to Him, we are His Chosen Vessels and Conduits. The increasingly self-centered, increasingly lonely and alienated world needs a Saviour who will give them life - ’Living Water’ - and Jesus has chosen to deliver this life through us. Where do we begin? We begin with the first words of Jesus. ’Repent and Believe the Gospel of the Kingdom of God.’

As we do these two things. In the power of the Spirit of Christ, something amazing happens we are filled with the Love of the Father - this Living Water - which we can then pass onto the world around us.

The Kingdom of God is within us so that through us it can be released into the kingdom of the world. In the Message, Pastor always translates the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:13 this way….’Let me tell you why you are here.’ Well, this is why you and I are here. We are here, on earth, right now, wherever you are living, with whomever you are connected to, to be the flavour, the colour, the fragrance, and the living power of God. You are called to be a Kingdom of God unto the kingdom of the world for His Glory and to accomplish His essential purpose - the restoration of His creation, including all those who are made in His image.

It is through us, the Body of Believers, Kingdom men and women, the Church as Christ intended it to be, that the world will come to know Him..

Let us not be remnants as we wait faithfull and be vessels of 'Living Waters...'

In awe and Wonder of Him…