Free The Veritas Conflict by Shaunti Feldhahn Page B

people chose to look everywhere except to the only One who is truly able to light the way.” She raised her walking stick and poked it toward Claire. “Don’t you make that same mistake, my dear.”
    Claire fought the urge to step back a pace. “I won’t. I won’t.”
    “Once you take your eyes off Him, even for a moment, there’s nothing to hold on to, nothing to guide you. He is the only unshifting horizon by which you can find your way. Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith.”
    “Actually, that’s one reason I’m here. I’m going to a Christian Foundation Office. I have to meet with them once a semester for accountability, to keep my scholarship to college.…”
    “And where are you in school, young lady?”
    “At Harvard, actually.”
    The response was not the usual awkward nod. Instead, her companion looked at her quietly.
    “I, uh, I can’t afford the full tuition, and Harvard almost never gives grants, so I was really thankful to get the scholarship.” Claire fiddled with her zipper again, looking up at the flickering numbers. “But to keep it, I have to meet with these foundation people each semester. Like I said, it’s an accountability thing to ensure that I’m doing well in school, not slipping in my walk—that sort of thing. This is our first meeting. I had my first two classes this morning.”
    The old woman nodded slowly. “Young lady, God has a special plan for your life. And it’s not about you; it’s about Him. You must remember that the best accountability of all is to lift your eyes to the hills every morning.”
    A shiver ran down Claire’s spine. She had so disregarded the message of that psalm lately. Had she even read her Bible this week?
    Claire’s voice came out as a whisper. “I will lift up my eyes to the hills—from whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.…” Her voice trailed off, her eyes staring at nothing.
    “He will not allow your foot to be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.” Her companion’s voice was oddly strong. “Behold, he who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. He is your keeper, the shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.”
    She stood straighter, capturing Claire’s eyes with hers. A wizened hand reached outand gently cupped Claire’s chin in benediction.
    “The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and forever-more.”
    Ding!
    The elevator lurched to a stop. Claire rocked a little on her feet. She made no move toward the doors.
    “Thank you,” she whispered.
    “Remember, my dear: The Lord is your keeper. Spend time with Him; He longs for your company. And He knows your every need. Whenever you’re faced with a choice, make sure that you trust in God, not in man.”
    The doors were creaking open. Claire shouldered her purse. “I will. Thank you.”
    She stepped out onto the twenty-eighth floor, expecting her companion to disembark as well. She turned to smile at the old lady just as the elevator closed on her last words.
    “Remember, Claire.” The doors clanged shut.
    Claire!
    For a long moment she stood, swaying slightly, and stared at the elevator doors. Finally, she forced her feet to move toward the signboard that pointed toward the various offices.
    Dear God! What just happened?
    “Can I help you?”
    Claire was standing in front of a receptionist’s desk. The woman was looking at her with raised eyebrows, and Claire realized that she’d already asked the question twice.
    “I’m terribly sorry, ma’am. I’m afraid I was lost in thought about something.”
    “Yes. You looked it.” The receptionist picked up the phone. “Whom are you here to see?”
    “Ms. Tabor-Brown. I’m afraid I’m about fifteen minutes late.”
    “Okay.” She tapped out a few numbers and pointed at a