Gray light begins to stream over the battlefield, soft rays drifting like a healing mist over the scarred and torn ground. An early morning fog nestles around the white canvas tents and nearly blends them into the landscape, but smoke on the horizon reveals that the battle has already begun in other parts of the region; and before long, the sound of shouts and the ring of scabbards and swords begins to rise from the enemy camp. Today the King's warriors will engage the enemy.
Victoria is already up and dressed, brushing back her hair as she straps on her hidden weapons and her lightweight armor. Like many of the King's warriors, she is in the intelligence corps. Every day, her job is to infiltrate the enemy cities and tell them the King's message: that He offers amnesty to all who have broken His laws, an amnesty that He bought with His own life; and that they are invited to escape their oppressive bondage and join His forces of light.
The job is not an easy one, and even at her young age, Vicki has scars from the many times she has been attacked, trapped, stricken, and forced to fight for her life. Many of the common people are eager to hear her message - and many are just as eager to betray her, stain her, deceive her, even destroy her. She has tried to rescue recruits in grave danger - and been rescued herself from ruin. It is a dangerous life. But she wouldn't have it any other way.
Vicki adjusts her sword belt at her side and slings her shield over her back, then slips out into the cool, damp morning. Today she is working alone. She crosses the battlefield quickly, aware that she is constantly in danger from the moment she awakens; today she is vaguely surprised that this portion of the battlefield seems serene.
Smack!
"Augh!" Vicki staggers back and nearly falls as a wickedly sharp arrow glances off her breastplate and sticks in the ground at her feet. She whirls; a dark form disappears behind a small rise. For a moment she debates whether to give chase, but she knows that her day's work is more important, so she bends low and runs like a soaring cloud skimming over the hills toward the city. She can feel the dust puffing against her ankles as several more arrows strike the earth just behind her pounding feet. The person shooting those arrows must have been waiting for her, she thought grimly - he probably had been spying on her for weeks, so he could know the exact time she would start on her daily journey. The thought chills her. Who else is becoming so familiar with her habits?
She slows her steps when she nears the city limits and walks into the market district. She always has a "normal" task to perform along with her recruiting and rescue duties; today she is buying provisions for her family, joining the mob of pushing, hurrying, busy people crowding around the shops and tables. She is like them in some ways - her clothing is only a little foreign, and she speaks their language with only a hint of an accent - yet the aura of the King is like a jewel around her neck. She is clearly different, and the curious looks remind her of that. She must always bear herself with grace, dignity, kindness, and honor; for she is not only a warrior, but a princess.Her duties are moderately successful today - she speaks with three or four curious souls who notice her jewel and ask her about it, although none of them are interested in learning more. Perhaps they will ponder her words and seek her out again. But for now, it is time to hurry back. The city is full of temptations and dangers for her - like all of the King's warrior princes and princesses, she once belonged to this world; and though in her heart she never wishes to return, there is plenty in the city to invite her, entice her, and entangle her heart once again. She slings her bag of purchases over her shoulder and prepares to leave.
"Victoria."
Vicki flushes crimson; she knows that voice. It is someone from her past, one of the recruits who would not come with her many years ago - and who tried very hard not to let her return. She knows she should not speak to him, shouldn't even turn to look at him. But she can't help herself. She has to see him one more time.
He is everything she remembers him being - tall, handsome, with a fascinatingly careless attitude. For just a moment, Vicki feels jealous. His life is easy and carefree - without the joys that she knows, yes; but also without the danger and hard work. He is interested to know about her work, and he is interested to know about her heart - Vicki feels appreciated and understood as he asks about her dreams, her wishes, her hopes. Without knowing it, she slowly begins to let down her guard and talk freely, animatedly, without her usual reserve. Her gesticulating arm brushes her sword belt and it falls to the ground.
The clatter shakes Vicki back to her senses and she pounces on the sword - just in time to see the man stealthily reach under his cloak for his own dagger. Vicki stands tall and holds the sword at her heart; he meets her eyes in defiance for a long moment, then slowly replaces his weapon and walks away. Vicki's heart races and she lowers her head in shame and relief. She invited her own danger and nearly suffered a serious wound; but by the King's mercy, she will not be wounded today.
That evening, safe at home, Vicki takes off her armor and puts on her beautiful robes to enter the presence of her Father, the King. She confides in Him the near-disaster she had today, and bows her head in shame as she confesses the jealousy and discontent in her heart. The world always knows how to tempt her heart with what she wants the most: to be loved, to be valued, to be understood. To find someone who will cherish her above all others.Then her Father places His hands on her head and whispers gently:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name; you are Mine!
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they will not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched,
Nor will the flame burn you.
For I am the LORD your God,
The Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I have given Egypt as your ransom,
Cush and Seba in your place.
Since you are precious in My sight, Since you are honored and I love you,
I will give other men in your place and other peoples in exchange for your life.
Do not fear, for I am with you;
I will bring your offspring from the east,
And gather you from the west.
I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
And to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’
Bring My sons from afar
And My daughters from the ends of the earth,
Everyone who is called by My name,
And whom I have created for My glory,
Whom I have formed, even whom I have made.”*
Vicki rests her head on her Father's knee and lets her fear and guilt ebb away as she listens to His words of love and tenderness. It is easy to forget sometimes, out on the battlefield, that she is not just a warrior against evil and a rescuer of the oppressed and condemned - she is a beloved daughter and princess, cherished and tenderly cared for by a Father Who loved her enough to give His life to rescue her from her own sinfulness. Who could value her more than the One Who gave the whole world for her soul? Who could understand her better than the One Who knew her deepest longings and fears? He knows her heart and knows her hopes and desires for her life - she can trust Him to fulfill them, shape them, and make them more beautiful than anything she could dream.
She is a Christian - a warrior princess.
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* Isaiah 43, New American Standard Version.
