The past few days, I have been completely apathetic to the Lord. I would read Scripture, but the words were meaningless. I would pray, but I was talking to thin air. It lost its power. I felt more and more that I simply did not want anything to do with God.

Last night, at worship, it changed.

During one of songs, part of me wanted to sing. Part of me did not. But I chose to sing anyway. Once the song had ended, I heard a voice in my mind saying "No. This one's mine." Though I cannot explain it, I know that it was the voice of the Lord looking at Satan and telling him, "No. This one's mine." I had this image of God holding onto me as Satan tried to pull me away, but the Father would not let go.

In the same instant, I remembered an anime that I have seen. In the story, one character named Zuko is on the run with his uncle Iroh. Through this, we can see how Iroh is much like a father to Zuko. But at a critical moment, Zuko makes a decision that displeases his uncle and later regrets it. But when the two are reunited, Zuko comes forth begging for forgiveness, but Iroh, without saying a word, takes his nephew in his arms and holds him tight.

To combine that with the phrase "No. This one's mine" pierces my heart. For several days, I have felt complete apathy, and I could feel myself drifting farther away from God, but to see the image of Iroh holding his nephew, it filled me with the realization that this is the way that God wants to hold me at every moment.

He gave us this wonderful gift in the form of Jesus Christ just so that when we enter Heaven, He can take us into His arms without saying a word, then look to Satan and say "No. This one's mine."