“Yinney” – Chapter 13 – Path Without End

Yinney believed in the supernatural. Yes, most sloths did, and that was why they never rushed, but practiced the “Beauty of Slow”. It was all about faith and the supernatural. As he pondered the ancient texts he was so familiar with, and thought about the great task before him, to be a place of refuge in a time of storm, he knew he had to intentionally slow down. Be still my soul, and know your God, he ordered himself.

How many are the works of God, he asked himself, that are built upon the strategies and rushing of man-made ways, rather than the prayers and peace of God’s people? It is always the greatest temptation to leave the beauty of slow and rush into the building of an empire. We love to impress people, Yinney thought. He pondered the scripture again…

“Unless the Lord builds the house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good. It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat, for God gives rest to his loved ones.” Psalms 127: 1-2

These were some of the favorite scriptures of his people. The sloth family understood this faith and rest God spoke of in his holy texts. The Hebrews claimed they had an encounter with God. Over many years, writings inspired by God, written through these Hebrew people, claimed to be the word of God, and the way of God. Yinney believed it. The book was supernatural, and it spoke of a way in which there is an easy yoke and light burden. But the hunger and drive of fleshly ways is drawn to the hard yoke and heavy burden, like a moth to flame.

He already purposed in his heart that his Tree of Refuge, his 7th Day Tree, would come about by the work of God, not his own, therefore it was not up to him to force anything, but if the calling be true, if the vision be true, then through prayer, faith, worship, and supernatural ways, God would build it as he saw fit. Yinney would simply rest in God. And in that rest he would fulfill his calling as naturally as a flower blooming, one day at a time.

Yinney would not enter predator ways. The hungers of flesh is the predator way. How many works claiming the name of God are actually built upon predator ways? The hunt, the pride, the conquering, the forcing of ways as if to create a kingdom of lifeless subjects, rather than a living family. Yinney understood family. You don’t eat your family. True fellowship requires a place of family. Judas was a predator sitting at the Lord’s table that night, and Jesus pointed him out. Then he went out and did what predators do.

The Hebrew scriptures reveal the supernatural enemy of our eternal soul walks about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour! Predator! And predator ways! It ought not be so in the House of God. It would not be so in this fellowship.

“Yes,” Yinney reminded himself. “It was the ways of a dove and a lamb that gave that lion his greatest defeat. Do no harm. Love your neighbor as yourself. Love God with all your heart. I will be the sloth who simply loves his God, and watches God go before him.” Suddenly Yinney desired to worship. It bubbled up in his soul like a mighty river!

“Bless the Lord, oh my soul!” he began singing. “And all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord oh my soul, and forget none of his benefits! Who forgives all my sins! Who heals all my diseases! Who redeems my life from destruction, and crowns me with loving kindness and tender mercies! Who fills my mouth with good things, so that my youth is renewed like the eagle!”

Yinney sang this song and worshiped his Creator from his 7th Day Tree, and he knew God’s rest. As of this moment only Lu-Lu was a part of the Fellowship he was called to oversee. But Lu-Lu was a bit of a force of nature. Such was her natural gifting from God. There was no doubt in his mind that Lu-Lu was the best promoter of the Fellowship he could have.

“Jesus, your ways are so beyond our understanding,” Yinney began praying. “How many times did you heal someone and then tell them to tell no one who did this for you? And yet the Father grew your ministry just as it was supposed to grow. But what has man done today? We have copied the ways of the world and brought shame on your name. Please forgive us Lord, and send a refreshing of your Holy Spirit, that we might truly live again. Breathe upon this army of dead bones, that we might know your supernatural ways again.” The prayer was simple and sincere.

And so he prayed. He flowed in and out of word, worship, and prayer as the Spirit moved him. Like an eagle soaring on unseen currents of air, all morning was spent this way, and he loved the simplicity of it. There were no man-made programs to bow to, only God.

As slow as Yinney was, he planned to travel his community like he had read of preachers long ago. He was not a fan of large groups, but loved the intimacy of smaller groups, and one-on-one teaching. God was calling a family, not a congregation. Something gets lost in congregation. His ministry would orbit his 7th Day Tree like the earth orbiting the sun, after all, if Yinney needs to poo once every seven days, and he must poo here, then how far can a “sloth” get before he must begin his return trip?

But all along the way he would have “The Fellowship”. One might ask, when did Jesus have Church? The answer is “all the time”. And where did Jesus have Church? The answer is everywhere he went. So simple. Where two or three are gathered in my name. How does man manage to complicate the simplicity of Christ?

A great peace filled his soul as he slowly climbed higher into his 7th Day Tree so he could look outward. Lu-Lu said the smoke of man could be seen wherever he is. Yinney knew he would see that smoke one day, probably in about three years. But for now, as he climbed his sacred tree, the main thought in his soul and heart were the words: “Let there be light!”

download