Page 20 of Hidden Ascent

Jay looked around. The horizon was beginning to lighten from the rising sun.

It made no sense, and yet, how could he deny it? “So, you’re saying God sent you here to find me?”

“That’s right.”

“Why?”

“Because he’s got a job for you to do.”

Chapter6

Peter walkeddown the beach to rescue the man who had washed up on the shore. It was not what he’d expected to happen. On the drive there, he had come up with several scenarios about what he might find, none of which came close to this. Although he shouldn’t be surprised that God would do things contrary to what he expected. It wouldn’t be the first time.

“You have no reason to trust me,” Peter said. “But I also have no reason to trust you.”

It may have been clear from the clothes clinging to this man’s body that he was a physically capable man, which was one requirement Peter was looking for. But as for why he was in the water, and why he thought someone was out to kill him, those were serious question marks he was nearly unwilling to risk.

But God was strengthening his resolve. And when he reached a hand down to help the man up, he knew for sure. God made it clear that he wasn’t to judge based on appearances.

“My name’s Peter. If you’re willing to come with me, I can at least make sure you don’t die. After that, it’s up to you.”

“I’m Jay.”

“As in the letter?”

“Close enough.”

Together, they plowed slowly through the sand. Peter tried to help Jay, but he wouldn’t let him. Instead, he fought for each step.

“That’s my car over there,” Peter said once they left the sand. “You want me to bring it closer? Or do you think you can walk that far?”

Jay looked up at the sky as though searching for a sign from God that he wasn’t making a mistake.

“Or I could leave you alone, if you’d prefer. I can call an ambulance, and you can go with them instead.”

“No. I can walk.”

Once Peter got the hot air blasting in his car, he waited outside and spent the next half hour praying as Jay leaned into the heat pouring from the fans and gathered his strength.

I get that this is the guy, but I’m not sure how Isla is going to take this. I’m pretty sure she expects me to return empty-handed.

He ducked down and looked through the window at Jay. His hair was spiked and wild with the salt water. And bowed over like he was, he looked like he belonged in a mental institution.

I know, I know. You said not to judge him, but do you really think Isla will be okay with a guy like this? At least he’s clearly not connected to the government, but he swam in from somewhere and used up every ounce of his strength to do it.

But who dropped him in the ocean in the first place, and why? What did he do?

“You said God had a job for me?”

Peter spun around to see Jay on the other side of the car, resting his forearms on the roof.

“I did. You’re looking better.” He smiled. The fight to survive that had hardened Jay’s features had adjusted now that he was warm. This was a man confident in himself. It was time to find out if he’d be willing to be confident in God.

“You haven’t asked me what I was doing in the water.”

“That’s not because I don’t want to know. But I thought it best to make sure you didn’t die first. However, I am a good listener if you need to talk about it.”

“What if I say no?”

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