Amias Before the Throne

Author's Note: Hey there, friends! Before we jump into the story, I wanted to say I know there are a lot of people who struggle with the question(s), "Why do bad things happen?" or "Why did God allow me to have this certain trial in my life?" Though there are certain answers we may never obtain in this life, I hope and pray this story brings you encouragement and reminds you that God is on the throne; there has never been a moment where He has forgotten you or has not seen your struggle. 
So, for my friend hurting today (and for those who simply need the reminder) take heart! For He has overcome the world! You are not forgotten; you are not alone. You are seen, you are known, and you are valued.

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

-Alyssa

An angel named Amias once approached the throne room of God Almighty. Amias bowed before the throne and waited until His Lord spoke first.

“Rise up, my friend! For you know you are always welcomed here.”

“Thank you, my Lord,” Amias responded as he rose, “I wanted to speak with you about the child that has just been conceived.”

God smiled, a simple yet deep smile, and walked toward Amias. “Ah, yes! You speak of Hope. Hope, the small child who will grow, become a light in her school, and will become a forever worker in My Kingdom.” The Almighty turned away from Amias and began to pace excitedly. “How I await for the day when she will choose to be mine and I to be hers!”

“Her parents request for Hope to be born on time and in good health.” Amias read from a scroll he held in his hands.

Suddenly the Almighty’s countenance changed and He became sad – almost heartbroken. He stopped the pacing and turned toward His window that faced all of creation and earth.

“Yes, I have heard their desires and know of their love for this child. Their love does indeed put a smile on my face. Just to know that Hope will be loved and raised well puts a smile on my face.” A small smile did cover His face, but only for a moment and then it was gone.

“One thing I dread to see happen, but know I must let it happen to her if she is to ever be refined: Hope must suffer a great accident, which will leave her paralyzed for life. For this shall be her story, her testimony, her victory.”

The Almighty turned from the window and faced Amias, for He knew Amias had something more to say.

“My Lord, if I may be so bold, may I ask a question?” By now Amias’ face told all, for his face showed great concern and almost disapproval.

“Go ahead, Amias. Do not be afraid. Ask your questions. ” God walked back to His throne and sat down, while Amias walked further and stood in front of the throne.

Amias swallowed, thought for a moment, and then spoke, “You are a good Creator, who loves His masterpieces like no other! You create in perfection and put such small intricate things to use that no one else would ever think to use. My team of angels are always in awe of your works and how your bring all things together for the good of those who love You.”

“What is it you want to ask, Amias?” The Almighty asked with tender eyes of compassion.

“These masterpieces, these creations…why do you allow such terrible things to happen to them?! Why not protect, give justice, reveal to them how much you love them, and show them your power to save them from death? Why not keep illness, death, and destruction away from them? Why let your people, your creations, your children…suffer?”

God nodded and walked over to the window once more. His gaze fell to earth and at once the room began to quake and the stars began bow, but then it all stopped. The Lord turned away from the window and began to walk towards Amias.

“I guess I could do that, Amias, but the only way my children will ever truly see me for who I am is if they go through the fire and the tribulations I set before them.

Take Hope, for example: if I protected her from every evil thing, answered every prayer she ever prayed, and just ‘showed up’ to her all the time, she would have no real faith. She would have no real need for me.

Hope would not spend endless nights in the hospital seeking me out, praying to me, and being the reason why her parents come into relationship with me. Hope would not have a story to tell of redemption, liberation, and hope.”

By now the Almighty was standing directly in front of Amias and was speaking with a passion that Amias would never understand. It was as if all the emotions themselves were all at once within the Creator. He spoke because He knew all and could see all. Everything the Almighty said was right and true, because He knew. That was the only way Amias could ever think to describe the way the Creator spoke.

Amias snapped back to attention and continued to listen to the Almighty speak.

“If I kept all evil from Hope, she would not have a reason to live or even a spark to keep her going. She would have no real passion for the people or the world around her. In fact, Hope would dare to become unsympathetic and cold. She would think only of herself and how I might fulfill all her wants, needs, and desires next. Hope would love me only for what I could give her, and not for the lasting relationship we could enjoy together.

If I kept all bad things from happening to my children, they would not see Me for who I am, but rather see Me for who they want Me to be. I would be nothing more than a good luck charm or a genie in the sky who obeys their every wish and command.”

Amias was now once again captured by the love the Almighty had for His children. Amias had often been captured by it, but this time the Almighty’s compassion shone through like a lasso ready to capture him and reel him into the loving arms of the Father.

The Almighty placed a hand on Amias’ shoulder and spoke once more, “The only way for them to see me, Amias, is for them to walk through the fire with me. There and only there can I refine them. Then and only then can they shine among them like stars in the sky and be used according to My plans and good purposes. Do you understand this?”

Though Amias was not confident he would ever quite understand, he nodded and said, “I think so, my Lord.”

The Almighty smiled. “That is all I could ever ask of you. Never be afraid to ask questions.”*

“Thank you, my Lord.”

Amias was about to leave the grand throne room when the Almighty called to him once more, “Amias! One more thing, I know you are a man of justice and of righteousness. A man who seeks and wishes for the world to made right and fair. I have not forgotten the suffering of my people, and the ones who have wronged and hurt them. They will suffer; they will get all that is coming to them. You need not worry yourself with such matters. Their end is near. Do not rush it; it will come.”

Amias began to tremble. Again, all Amias could bring himself to say was, “Thank you, my Lord.” With that, he fell to the floor and worshiped the King of creation who is over all that is good and evil.

When he finally went, Amias went away knowing that everything the Almighty does has a purpose. Nothing and no one is ever forgotten, and “His understanding no one can fathom.”

Alyssa Rasor

* Thought and phrase inspired by The Chosen T.V. series.