Preview Chapter 10 - The Labyrinth Dream, from "The Purpose"

In Celebration of the formal Release of "The Purpose", 

book two in The Chronicles of Malachai,

 it is being offered on sale through Amazon.com on e-book for 

ONLY $1.99

until November 23, 2013

http://www.amazon.com/The-Purpose-Chronicles-Malachai-ebook/dp/B00GKTKAOG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1384977923&sr=8-3&keywords=daniel+l.+sweetnam

I have asked several of those who have already read "The Purpose" which chapters they felt grabbed their attention the most and would be good to help me promote the book in order to help those interested in reading the series to better understand the spiritual war Malachai sees. Several different chapters kept coming up with the final one being one of the favorite. However, I would rather not give away the ending of the book or too much of the climax, so one of the other favorites is Chapter 10 -The Labyrinth Dream.

If you are interested in what "The Purpose" is all about and "The Chronicles of Malachai", you can preview Chapter 10 here and get a glimpse of the deeper spiritual war Malachai is involved with.  

Chapter 10

from The Purpose 

by Daniel Sweetnam

As the days and weeks went on I began to understand what the demons real threat was all about. When he approached me at my apartment I thought he might physically attack me, now I realize the attack was meant to cause me grief and despair.

Over the past few weeks I was hit with one financial problem after the next. With extra car repairs, increases in apartment expenses, extra demands at work wanting me to choose my priorities of jobs and even jealousy from co-workers; I felt busier than ever. I knew I couldn’t keep the pace up and had to make changes, but I really didn’t want to give up the apartment. I just couldn’t afford it on my own anymore.

On top of my own problems, it seemed like many of my friends and family were struggling with all sorts of strange issues and problems. Even neighbors in my apartment were experiencing weird problems with their apartments, cars and lives. I began thinking everything that was happening to them was my fault and did my best to pray for them all, trying hard to command any spirit attacking them to back off. However, each time one person’s life settled down, another person began having a real rough time.

I was feeling exhausted mentally, physically and spiritually. Even Lucy couldn’t seem to cheer me up anymore. I was being dragged back down once more into the pit of despair and desperately needed help.

That night I had another dream; one that was revealing itself in pieces over the past several weeks. Each time I dreamt it I would see and feel more of what was really happening. But I never saw the end because I would wake up too soon, until now.

I found myself descending from the clouds to the dirt ground before a large layered maze of walls. On my way down I could see a large battle happening in the center of the maze. People were fighting hard against a horde of beasts and demons. I could see the people swinging their weapons and swords but having very little effect on the enemies they were fighting.

The beasts and demons were also swinging their swords, shooting arrows and even catapulting stones at all the people. Many of the people were being knocked to the ground and slain, as the beasts kept moving towards them.

As my feet touched the ground I could hear the cries of those in the center of the maze and knew I had to get there quickly to help. However, each layer of walls only had one doorway in order to get through; and there were different hazards or people blocking each door.

The first door was always hard to see as it was hidden behind many small shrubs and vines. Most of the plants were covered in thorns and thistles destined to snare my clothes and skin, ripping as I passed through. Somehow I would always find a strong stick lying nearby to help break through the brush, but I had to take the time to look for it.

Just as I would make it to the door itself, a person would appear to speak the same message to me. The person would change each time and was always someone I sort of knew, but the message was the same.

“Is it really your fight to be involved with Malachai? Stay out of here and you will be safe. If you choose to enter this door you will put yourself into this war and the consequences will also be yours.” The messenger would speak.

“I have to go forward, it’s what God requires of me and I serve His purposes, not my own. I must do what is right.” Would be my response.

When I entered through the door I found myself in the middle of a barren land. It looked as if a war had happened long ago and every living thing was now dried up and withered away. I could see old riverbeds, dead stumps and logs, even the dried half buried bones sticking out of the dusty ground.

The air was humid and difficult to breath and I would always sweat from the heat coming from the ground. However, I was always cold inside; even my skin was cold to the touch as if death was within me. Whenever I would try to move forward the winds would stir up blowing dust and dirt into my face, filling my lungs.

I would do my best to push forward towards the wall that seemed far off in the distance and hard to see because of the blowing dust. Within minutes of entering the expanse I would have abrasions on my arms as I tried to protect my face from the constant dust scraping like sand paper across my skin.

I could also see several broken down buildings and dugouts cropping out from the ground and scattered through the area. However, for me to use any of the partial shelters I would have to leave the main path that took me to the doorway itself. I knew they were just a temptation though to offer me protection from my suffering, and to be a distraction from the real purpose I was here for. As much as I wanted to go, I knew I couldn’t leave the path before me, it wasn’t right.

As I finally made it close to the door another person would appear with another message. This person was always one of my close friends, someone who knew me well. Like before, the person would change, but the message was always similar. The message only changed slightly to reflect the messenger’s relationship with me.

“Malachai, why are you making yourself suffer so much? Everyone knows how much you care and we all appreciate what you do. But look at your face, hands and arms. Are the scars and pain really worth it? Let me help you. I can take you somewhere safe where you can heal and rest.” My friend would say.

I always answered the same though.

“I can’t quit now. There are those who need help inside and someone has to try. I can’t stop until I have finished what God has purposed for me. It just isn’t right.” I replied.

Immediately after, I would be standing before the door with my friend still standing beside me. The door handle was a smoldering red and I could feel the heat coming from the door itself from several feet back. I knew whatever was behind this door was even hotter than the barren land I was currently in. Perhaps hell itself was waiting before me.

“Well, go ahead and enter then. Grab the handle and burn yourself. It’s what you want isn’t it? Don’t you believe you need to suffer and take on our pain in order to be a hero, to be like Jesus?” My friend would say.

“No I don’t. But if I choose to put my own comfort and safety first while those around me are being hurt or destroyed, how can I say I am a Christian, when I’m not following what Jesus taught and His example? I have to do what’s right even if it hurts me because Jesus did what is right even though they crucified Him.” I answered.

Then I would take hold of the burning hot door handle, feeling a moment of searing pain burst through my body. I could even hear my skin sizzling like frying meat and smell my own flesh burning, as I turned the handle and entered the next room.

As soon as I walked through the door, my mom, several family members and some close friends quickly came to greet me; crowding around to see if I was okay.

“Malachai, what happened to you? Look at your arms and your hand is severely burned. You need to sit down and get these wounds looked at. Your brothers will get you something to drink and eat. Then you’ll feel better.” My mom said, while guiding me to a table on one side of the room.

This was only the second time I had dreamt this part of the dream, but I knew what this room reminded me of. It looked like the old wooden saloon from my dreams with Midnight. However, this room was much bigger with less people and there were no demons waiting to serve me, just my family and friends.

The last time I dreamt I was here, I listened to my mom and sat down at the table while her and my brothers dressed my wounds and convinced me to stay with them.

“Why do you have to get so involved with everyone else’s problems Malachai? Look how wounded you already are, what good will you be to anyone if you don’t take some time to rest and heal. The war will always be happening; you are allowed to take a break.” She said.

Last time I listened and decided to sit for just a moment. However, as soon as I made the decision, their appearances changed and they began to strap my arms and legs to the chair with the bandages meant to help me. Then they continued on with their own lives, doing whatever they wanted and left me out of the way, tied to the chair in the corner.

This time, I knew better than to fall for that temptation. So I pulled my burnt hand away from my mom and began walking directly to the door on the other side of the room.

My brothers both stood in my way, while several other family members and friends gathered towards me.

“You can’t help them, who do you think you are anyways, Jesus. Everyone has the right to make their own choices and you should just let them live with their consequences. Look at you, if don’t start living a little and enjoying your life, you’re going to die miserable. Maybe God is trying to help you understand that life is for the living, so you need to quit taking it so serious and start doing what makes you happy and feel good.” My brothers said, both taking turns speaking.

“If I simply do what everyone else does, then you’re right I might be happier for now. But, how long will getting what I want last when it starts to encroach on you getting what you want. If I should be more concerned with myself before thinking of others, what happens to your freedoms when they interfere with what I want to do? Isn’t that how wars are started? But if you all cared more about those who are hurting and suffering rather than your own comfort, we could work together and end this war completely.” I answered, while pushing past them all.

“You’ll lose though and they’ll kill you just like they did your Christ. But you’re not God, so you can’t come back from the dead. What good will you have accomplished then?” One of my brothers stated.

“I have to do what God wants, not what I want. Even if I die, I have to do what’s right.” I replied.

They all continued speaking over top of each other trying to tell me how wrong I was for continuing. However, as I arrived at the door and began to reach for the door handle I heard another voice speak.

“Please don’t continue Malachai. I need you and don’t want you to get hurt. If you go through that door you will be leaving me behind too.” Lucy spoke.

I put my hand down and turned to see her standing beside me with tears rolling down her cheek. As I reached up with my burned hand to wipe her tears, I watched in amazement as her tears ran into my burns and began to heal them. Within moments the wound was healed and just a scar remained. I didn’t want to go forward anymore, I just wanted to stay with her, but I knew it wasn’t right.

“I love you Lucy, and I hope you will understand why I must go forward. I have to go through this door because I have to trust God’s purpose more than what I might want to do. If I don’t do what I know is right, you will lose me anyways, because I will stop being who God created me to be. Like so many others in this room, I will be stuck, lost and tied down forever. Please trust God Lucy.” I said.

“I guess God is even more important to you than I am. So I hope you can find some happiness with Him, because I’m obviously not enough for you. Look what He’s put you through already, all your scars. Even after I healed you with the love in my tears, you still don’t want me.” Lucy stated; then walked away to join the rest of the people.

I desperately wanted to chase after her, but I knew it wasn’t right. I had to keep going forward. So I turned the handle and entered into the next room.

There was complete darkness here. The room was empty of all light, sound and feeling. Just empty. I quickly tried to find my way through the room but I had no idea where I was going. Even the door I came through was gone and I felt completely alone.

I spent what felt like hours in the place trying desperately to find any type of structure other than the floor. I tried jumping up hoping to find a ceiling. I even crawled along the floor hoping to find something small that I might be missing. When I yelled out, my voice simply vanished in a deep dark abyss. I felt alone and began to feel afraid.

After what seemed like hours of being lost in the darkness, I started questioning why I started this journey. The words everyone else spoke to me ran through my head and I questioned if I was wrong all along. I began doubting who I was and why I thought I was good enough to fight this war in the first place. Then I started getting angry with God for making me the way I was and for causing me to follow His purpose in the first place. So I fell to the ground, with tears flowing down my face and cried out to God.

“Why did you bring me this far only to abandon me here in this place God? Why? I’ve always felt so alone and that no one understands why I feel such a need to serve you. But I do it anyways. Even when they judge and criticize me I do what is right. But you always leave me alone to be hurt and condemned. Maybe I’m just not good enough for what you want, maybe you just chose the wrong person to fight this war. I don’t even understand what the war really is anyway. I’m just tired of living in this darkness God. Please, if You care at all, help me. I need You; I need Your light to guide me before I’m lost in this darkness forever.” I spoke out loud, desperately hoping that God could still hear me.

When I finished a dim light began to shine. It wasn’t coming from somewhere else in the room; it was coming from within me. Every scar and wound on my body was shining as well and the brightness grew the more I stood back up and focused on the light.

“When you feel like you are alone Malachai, it is because you have forgotten my promises. I said I would never leave you, nor forsake you. I am with you always because you chose to believe in me and follow my ways. You just became too focused on the darkness and covered My light which I placed within you. You are my light to others when you do what is right Malachai. But you have to choose to believe in who I know you are and trust in My help to guide you. Avoiding all the distractions of the world is not easy, but if you trust Me, I will be with you always.” The voice of the Lord spoke.

“I trust you God. Please guide me forward once more. I’m willing to listen and trust you.” I answered.

The light within and around me grew as bright as the day and I could clearly see the entire room finally. It was rather small and the door was easy to find now that there was light to show me the right way.

“Thank you God, I’m sorry for doubting.” I said, then walked quickly to the door and opened it up ready to face whatever might be on the other side.

The battlefield lay before me. The sound of screaming and smell of death overwhelmed my senses as I walked through the door. To my right were cages filled with prisoners piled one on top of the other. The people were desperately climbing over each other trying to find a way out of their jail. But there was no opening to escape.

To my left I saw people urgently trying to climb the wall itself, standing and jumping on those who had fallen, almost using them as step stools in order to scale the wall. But the wall was too high and wherever the people were piled high enough for a hope of escape, the beasts came along to tear the piles apart.

The beaten and wounded people would try to limp away, but the beasts were too powerful. Many people were already missing limbs, but the beasts would attack again and again.

In the middle of this blood soaked dirt arena was the intense battle between demons, beasts and people of all ages. Bodies were scattered everywhere of the dead and wounded, but no one cared, they just kept fighting to save themselves. I saw them walk over the hundreds of people missing limbs and bleeding on the ground. Some people were trying to get closer to the battle; others were simply trying to get away from it all.

I watched for a moment trying to figure out how I could help and saw how the demons were even using people to fight others. They promised not to harm them if the person would fight for the demon, and the people listened. I saw some desperately trying to fight back but they would quickly become surrounded and defeated. It all seemed so hopeless, like the war was already won.

Then I heard my name called.

“Malachai, please help me. I’m hurt; you’ve got to get me out of here.” It was one of my friends from the barren room. He was lying on the ground not far from me. His leg was missing and there were wounds all over his body.

I quickly ran towards him to see how I could help, and noticed others I knew. In fact, everyone I knew and everyone I had passed in the rooms were there, including Lucy. She was locked in one of the cages and was now screaming for my help too. There was no way I could help all these people on my own, there were just too many.

I remembered the lessons I had just learned and decided I needed help so I should pray.

“Please God, these are your people. I just can’t do this on my own. Help us all, we need you.” I prayed.

My prayer was obviously heard, but not just by God. The beasts all took note of me and began coming towards me, ready for battle. Many of the demons pushed aside those they were fighting and raised their weapons to prepare to fight me. Even the people some of the demons were controlling were forced to come to attach me.

“God I need your protection now. You said I’m not alone, ever, so please reveal yourself now and help me.” I desperately prayed, while standing firm in my place.

The light began to shine from within me once more, but this time it was even brighter. It became so bright the beasts and demons could no longer see where they were going. So they began slashing their weapons carelessly around them, hitting one another. As they began to wound one another they became angry and fought against themselves, until one powerful demon cried out in a loud voice.

“Stop fighting each other, he is the enemy we seek. We must slay him and the rest will fall.” He said, while pointing in my direction.

They stopped fighting each other and began to shield themselves from the brightness coming from within me. They had one purpose, to destroy me.

“This is my servant and I am with him. You will not harm him.” Came a thundering voice that filled the entire area around us.

All the demons and beasts fell to the ground for a moment in fear. Then began to get up and retreat towards the wall opposite from me.

“Thank you for helping me and never leaving me alone.” I prayed.

As I reached out to help a couple of the wounded people around me, the brightness coming from within me flowed into them and they were healed instantly. I knew I had to get to Lucy as quickly as possible, but there were so many people needing help on the way. So, I turned to those who were healed and gave them instructions.

“God has healed you and if you will believe in His ways, His light will help you heal others too. Please, ask God to help you so you can help others.” I said.

Several people began to pray to God and immediately afterwards they began to shine brightly like me. As they healed others, they passed on what I said and more began to shine and more were healed.

I realized why I needed to endure all the rooms now. It took everything I went through to understand true darkness, so now I could appreciate and understand the true light in order to share it with others.

The arena began to fade and dream ended. I was lying in my bed at the apartment once more. My mind was overwhelmed with all I had dreamt, but my spirit was at peace knowing I finally understood its meaning and it was complete.