The Long Journey to Jake Palmer: A Novel

by James L. Rubart

“Jesus, we need transparency. We need to step out of the shadows. We need the freedom to live out of the strength and glory you’ve given us rather than live the lies about ourselves we’ve swallowed. We need to see that the bottle we all stand in is nothing. We need to see that we have put so much worth on a shell that is dying from the moment we are born. We need to look past the costume we wear to what is inside. We need to see it, and live from it. “We need to tell others what is on their labels. You’ve changed me, but there are days I still struggle with what happened to me. There are days where I forget I’m only wearing a costume and that this costume does not define me. Which is why we need to continue to speak the truth to each other. We need to tell those around us about the strength and glory inside them that they can’t see for themselves. Bring us that truth, Lord. Open our eyes, and grant us the strength to live our lives with freedom. So be it.”