A TANGLE OF LIGHT 

By Tessa Harvey

    Then rising high in the black foam-slashed waves, she saw the shore deep gashed with jagged rocks. There were people running around in scattered directions flashing torches, their beams almost swallowed in darkness. The people were all calling "this way, this way" but none were pointing to the real path to reach safety. It was a confusion of tangled light.

    Then a still small voice whispered loud in the crashing storm: "Throw down your anchor." At once she saw a heavy steel anchor labelled HOPE.

    Struggling, Elsie cast it overboard. The chain clattered, feeding out and then held. The frail craft slewed around.

    At once the sea around her stilled. She was in a pool of calm peace. Quickly she called out as she became aware of other boats floundering nearby.

    "You need Hope. Let down your anchor." But few heeded, desperately trying to reach the divergent beckoning shore lights.

    But then they floundered on the jagged rocks, capsizing - screams rent the air.

Others who were indeed listening were at once as one. Then a louder voice spoke: "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

    Instantly a path cleared to shore, the waves drew back, the land was dry. The few left found themselves on a small safe sandy beach. Others dressed in bright light welcomed them warmly. It was not heaven. It was a safe place for the soul.

    All around were the fading cries of those who had followed the errant lights falsely trusting fellow man.

 - Elsie awoke. Her room was flooded with daylight. The greyness of yesterday was gone. She knew now what she had to do. She had a purpose.