![]() Missy approaches, and the woman informs Mack that though Missy cannot see or hear him, she can sense his presence. Mack screams Missy's name repeatedly and tries to reach her, but he is held back by an invisible force. When he looks at the wall, mist moves out of the way so that he can see his children, including Missy, playing in a meadow. Suddenly, Mack hears the sound of children laughing. Mack replies that he wants to trust Papa, but that he will need help. ![]() The woman encourages Mack once again to give up judging others, especially God, and live a life of trust. The woman reminds Mack again that Papa did not cause Missy to die, but that she gives humans full autonomy, even when it causes her pain. The mention of Papa makes Mack angry again, since he still doesn't understand how God could have loved Missy and let her die. At this, the woman congratulates Mack for experiencing how Jesus and Papa love all people. Mack refuses repeatedly to do so, and falls to the floor begging to go to Hell in the place of his children. Finally, she tells Mack his ultimate challenge: to choose two of his children to go to heaven. Though Mack protests, the woman reminds him that he has long felt able to judge people he comes into contact with based on his subjective ideas of good and evil. She tells Mack that he is "here for judgment" (159), but reveals that she does not mean he is being judged rather, Mack will be playing God by judging other humans. ![]() She asks which of his children he loves the most, pushing him to understand how God can love every human, even those who sin and turn against God. The woman does not introduce herself, but begins to delve deeply into Mack's thoughts and beliefs, asking about his love for his children. Mack is struck and even intimidated by her beauty. He sits in the chair and finally notices a Hispanic woman sitting across from him. He reaches a large cavern and discovers a wooden chair and table. Soon, he gets used to the dark and sees a small amount of light ahead of him. Inside, it is pitch black, but he keeps moving forward. He knows he must be meant to enter somehow, so he puts his hand out and realizes he is able to pass through the rock. Mack follows the path until he reaches a rock face. Jesus then directs Mack to follow a path into the woods alone. Their conversation ends with Jesus hinting that Nan could have been with them at the shack and reminding Mack that the only way to submit is to let God live inside him, rather than by trying to emulate Jesus. Jesus explains that in the Garden of Eden, woman came from man purposefully so that man could learn to be in a "circle of relationship" (150). They also discuss the ways men and women find fulfillment in different things, perhaps making it easier for Nan to have a strong relationship with God, and for women as a whole to be historically overpowered by men. Specifically, Jesus teaches Mack about how relationships include submission, which is why Papa, Sarayu, and Jesus are all submitted to one another and to humans in various ways. They continue the conversations Mack has been having with Papa and Sarayu about humans' actions not being those God intended, and how this has led to strife. Once they reach the other side they stop to eat and talk. They walk across the lake holding their socks, shoes, and lunch. To Mack's surprise, Jesus leads him to the very end of the dock and motions for Mack to walk directly off the edge with some prodding, Jesus teaches Mack to walk on the water by talking to him about how to use his trust in God to face fears about the future. Jesus tells Mack that they are going to see something on the other side of the lake, and they head straight for the dock. Jesus hints that today is a big day for Mack, and that there will be something important happening the next day as well. Mack finds Jesus in his workshop sanding a small casket.
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