One thing, however, made a special impression upon her. In all that great dessert, there was not a single green thing growing, neither tree nor flower nor plant save here and there a patch of straggly grey cacti.
On the last morning she was walking near the tents and huts of the dessert dwellers, when in a lonely corner, behind a wall, she came upon a little golden-yellow flower, growing all alone. An old pipe was connected with a water tank. In the pipe was one tiny hole through which came an occasional drop of water. Where the drops fell one by one, there grew the little golden flower, though where the seed had come from, Much-Afraid could not imagine, for there were no birds anywhere and no other growing things.
She stopped over the lonely, lovely little golden face, lifted up so hopefully and so bravely to the feeble drip, and cried out softly, “What is your name, little flower, for I never saw one like you before.”
The tiny plant answered at once in a tone as golden as itself, “Behold me! My name is Acceptance-with-Joy.”
- Hinds' Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard
Much-Afraid is who I was born as. The allegory, Hinds’ Feet on High Places, tells the story of a little shepherdess, Much-Afraid, who as you can guess, lived her life in fear and trepidation of people, life and to love. Her physical and emotional inadequacies set her back from experiencing the life that is truly life. She is forced to marry a vengeful and abusive relative and come under his authority for the rest of her life. So she takes the opportunity to heed the beckon of the Shepherd and embarks on a journey to the High Places. It is a perilous journey, but one that would discipline her body, heal her soul and satisfy her every emotion when she arrives at the High Places.
It is a beautifully written story portraying our desire for human affection but showing ourselves to fall short and get trapped in a cycle of fear and hurt. The Shepherd is Jesus, who calls upon our souls to follow Him body and soul. The journey is our life of walking and trusting in magnificent promises found in the bible which seem almost too good or too ridiculous to be true. There are times of doubt, depression but also great rejoicing. And yet there is much hope and anticipation on our part as the Shepherd, Jesus, encourages and walks along side us until we finally reach our destination where all our inadequacies and fears are redeemed. However, when we do finally reach the High Places and find ultimate rest and restoration, He, the Shepherd, again sends us back to call others unto the High Places.
As I journeyed with Much-Afraid, I came upon this part where she discovers Acceptance-with-Joy. Okay, I thought to myself. Sounds simple enough. I feel rather accepting. Well, accepting enough anyway. And how do I find the joy in acceptance? They sound like unrelated pursuits. Why do I have to accept with joy? More often than not, find myself accepting situations begrudgingly.
But just a few days ago, I met my golden flower, aptly named Joy. I’ve mentioned her before. She is our Nursery teacher. She was looking a bit troubled and asked me to sit down with her after our Prayer Meeting. We sat and as she spoke, she struggled to share what happened. But one of the first things out of her mouth was: I’ve already accepted it.
As she found the words, tears escaped and fell as her wall slowly chipped away and crumbled. She shared about a hard family situation back home in Philippines. And as she shared, I could not help but notice such sacrifice and sorrow, yet such contentment and … peaceful acceptance. It was truly well with her soul.
I also remember the time she shared about her father who passed away from cancer a few years ago. She was there and went through it all but she accepted it. And when her ex-boyfriend got married a year after they broke up, the first thing she said was that she was happy because she'd accepted it.
It wasn’t an acceptance that turns a blind eye and sweeps things under the carpet. It’s not an acceptance that is self-depreciating and says that I deserve bad things happening to me. It’s not an acceptance that takes God at face value and is afraid to question or search the depth of His validity.
Instead, it is an acceptance that knows the pain of hardship and faces the challenge responsibly. It is an acceptance that humbly acknowledges that I don’t deserve anything but I am merely shown grace with the good in my life. It is an acceptance that searches God for answers and finds assurance and overwhelming peace in the truth of His words. It means freedom in the promise and hope of the High Places in every circumstance – people, places and events may change but God is always faithful, always loving. It is a humble and care-free accpetance that brings about joy.
Now, this is the story of how Much-Afraid found her little flower, Acceptance-with-Joy.
