Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Fire-fighter (10/05/06)
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TITLE: One seed planted | Previous Challenge Entry
By Vickie Coyle
10/07/06 -
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A young d woman is saved from a burning building, escaping with only smoke inhalation and praising the firefighter for saving her life. Headlines are made declaring a hero, even an angel for his sacrificial act. The Mayor holds a press conference in honor of this great man. The firefighter holds his award for everyone to see the written words declaring his and heroism. Pride gleams from his face as people call his name in awe. For his good deed he believes that Heaven is an open door. He's been so good, always considerate of others and keeps most of laws.
Arriving home still overwhelmed with self pride, he's greeted by his neighbor that he tries so hard to avoid, "The Jesus Freak", that he has never spoken to. But today is different, he's a hero and surely he will be praised. The firefighter can't wait to talk of his godly act. He tells of how he saved this woman even though she's a harlot and the cause of the fire. He waits for this religious man to compare him to the Good Samaritan in the bible, maybe even an angel. He's not prepared for this man's response.
The religious man looks him right in the eye and asks him if he thinks his good deed will get him to Heaven. There hero replies with, "I'm definitely guaranteed a place in heaven now." Then The Jesus Freak say's something so outrageous, he must be crazy. "Do you believe that sinners can go to Heaven"? "Of course not, only good people can go to heaven". "And do you believe that you're a good person"? "I just saved a life of a sinner, of course I'm good"
The hero now on the inside is starting to feel a little dirty and wants to get away from this lunatic that calls himself a Christian. This religious person asks him if he's ever read the bible. He speaks up with great pride and says, "of course I've read the, doesn't everyone"? "Did you read the part that says that as you judge another you condemn yourself"? Or how about that our righteousness is as filthy rags, and there is no one good, no not one"? "Jesus says that no one gets to the Father but by Him, and that you need to accept him as Lord and Savior. Jesus is the only one that can forgive your sins and wash you clean as snow.
The great hero doesn't say anything, just walks away. Pride has been replaced by anger. He doesn't understand why he didn't just stand up for himself and feels so condemned. Then he decides not to talk to that crazy man again. Retrieving to the comfort of his home opens and stares at his reflection of his heroism on the television. For some reason he no longer feels like a hero. Oh well he thinks, tomorrow is another day of fighting fires and saving lives. Maybe I'll be a hero again and even closer to God. That crazy neighbor doesn't know what he's talking about. But something was stirring inside of him. Emptiness and confusion filled him almost bringing him to tears, not understanding why. He felt something tugging at his heart, but he just blew it off. It's probably the effect of the mean things that man said to me. Christians always say there is only one way that just doesn't make sense.
Although for the few days' even weeks, he couldn't shake the feeling of fear and dread. I'm not going to go to any weird Christians to find these answers to the questions that I have, at least not that one
The End
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A nice story.