I am in a hallway, trapped in a prison. I cannot free myself. Who shall save me? I am trapped. Lost. Lost in the darkness with no way out.

Or. . . or so it seems.

For ah! Is that a light up ahead? I cannot see for the darkness which surrounds me. Is that a light? Do I dare to hope? Shall I be stuck here, in this prison, with no way out forever and always? Is there hope? Oh. . . whad do I do?

The guards of the world bring me food, but it is not real food. They bring me drink, but it cannot satisfy my thirst.

I am stuck here, the walls surrounding me, the silence grading on my nerves. All I can hear is my heart. Ah! If only I could take wings and fly from this prison! If only I can unlock the doors and the chains which bind me!

But can I? Shall I be free from the silence which grades on my nerves? Or shall I remain here. . . alone?

One day, I hear a knocking on my door. It is one of the King's guards! No, not the evil king who has kept me here in this prison. . . but the kind, true king.

I have heard many stories about the king in my lifetime. The enemies of the truth distort these truths and make them lies. What is true? My mind cannot think. I cannot think. . . I can't think for the pounding, tangible silence.

Am I ever going to get free? I keep wondering this as I eat and drink what the world has to offer. Ah! Will I ever break these chains? I ask the world for help. . . but they do not oblige. Ah! They exclaim, malice glinting in their dark eyes. You want to ask for help? You are locked up here, there is none to come to thy aide!

But ah, I know beyond the shadow of a doubt. . . they are wrong.

Dead, dead wrong.

From outside my cell, I hear a loud knock. It is urgent, strong. Filled with purpose. I cannot fear that knock. . . well, not yet, for it sounds like the release of freedom. Of rescue. Of hope, and love, and promise, and all the beautiful things I crave with all my heart! It means real food. Real water, real purpose and joy and no longer living a miserable existence

I tentatively peek out the bars of my dark cell. I see no enemy servants in the passage, none from what I can see. It is pitch black here in these cells. I do not hear the scraping of claws on rock, do not feel the chains biting into my wrists.

Wait, they no longer hurt? How can this be?

Fellow human being, the guard calls out, duth thou require to get free? My king and prince offer thee pardon!

Ah! I answer. I have been here for so long, how do I know what is true? Is it too good to be true?

Do you feel those heavy chains and links? The guard asks.

No, I say in a whisper. But ah! Be careful, for the enemy servants will be on your trail, good man!

I do not fear them, he said in a low voice. I do not! For I am suited up with the good kings armor, and the prince of life and light hath given me his sword. I have His living water, only what He alone can provide! Stop, dear child! He cried, and his voice rose into a crescendo. Stop living in darkness, for the king wants you to become a part of his family! He cries out in joy and glee, so much that the prison walls crumble around me, the cavern rocks fall, and the door to my cell flings wide open with a crash. I stand there, agast.

Come into the light, the man whispers. For I am one of the kings guards, and he hath sent me to help you escape! Good child, accept his offer of pardon and mercy!

Ah! I say. For I am a rebel, I have been for a long time.

Duth he not know? The guard asks. For I was once as you are now, running from the king and his salvation he offers. I was once in prison, trapped and had food that could not satisfy.

But how did you get free? I ask in astonishment, looking around.

I turned to the king.

I deserve death! I cried out, tears suddenly falling down my cheeks. My hair covers my face, and I sob.

Ah, dear lady, the man says in a kindly tone. You may deserve to die now, but the king can free thee because of his dear son. For his son, the prince of life, took on your debt.

I stare up at the guard in astonishment. Do you really and truly mean that?

That I do, fair one! For only he can truly free you. He has done the work today through me. Turn to him, and no longer be a prisoner of the darkness. Turn to him, and be truly free, having a new life of purpose and plan. For you shall have his living water and bread, his true food. And you shall no longer be in this prison of death and despair. You shall be free!

And so I did. The prince of light gave me such a shining crown of jewels and treasures I could hardly believe it! I left that place, finally free from the old life I once had. I was free, and I loved it so! The king and the prince satisfied my every need. I was so glad he took on my debt, and I could live for him always! The King was true, and nothing could ever stop the new life I had! As long as I remained on the road of light, the right path, I would be safe and in his care. He kept me in his loving hands, and I got to help others who were trapped, as I was. Praise be to the king, for only with him could I escape the prison I was locked up in. Only with Him. . . could I truly stand. Only with Him could I escape the darkness and gloom, having a new life with purpose and to escape from what the world offered. With him, with my prince and king, I was safe, cherished and loved.