Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS (don't write about the song) (05/14/15)
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TITLE: The unknown soldier | Previous Challenge Entry
By alan kane
05/21/15 -
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Padre, I need to talk to you.
You see, I have lost my faith. I totally lament the distain I have for all things to do with God. You see, Padre, I can't call myself a Christian anymore. I killed a man. Not shot from a distance, but I literally put a bullet in his head from five feet away.
I am cursed to damnation in the fiery pits of hell. I am a wretched creature. I feel like a murderer for I have purposely killed a man, I could see the whites of his eyes as he ran at me, bayonet aimed at my heart. I could possibly have disarmed him, especially when he stumbled, but in that second before I pulled the trigger all I felt was hatred. I wanted to destroy this man who I never knew.
I know I will never be charged, for this is war. In the moment, his blood covered me when his body landed beside me, while his life force ebbed away I grew deathly cold. My heart died in that instant, as much as if his bayonet had pierced it. I have been trained to kill but never before have I had to see the actual impact of my actions so close at hand.
If I die today, I know my duty is done, but my soul is lost. Why did God bring me to this place?
Lt. Jones
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Dear Lt. Jones
I am sorry to hear about your grief.
As a soldier, you are called to defend your king and country.
Sometimes painful situations occur; if you had not killed the enemy, you would be dead now. I know it is no real comfort but it is a necessity of war. You have to lead and protect the men under your command.
As for your cold heart, I will pray for you at this time and reassure you that I am here for you.
Padre
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Padre,
Thank you for your reply but It does not bring me any comfort or show me a way back to God.
As a boy, we were taught in church to love others, but it is so easy to love someone who shares the same goals and attitudes as you. Even people we saw in other countries seemed positive and shared the desire to generally follow God.
That young man whose life I ended for all I know could have been a Christian or about to come to faith, and I ended all chance he had in gaining salvation.
Even when I had conveyed orders to bombard the enemy positions, it never felt really personal. I was following orders but that boy I personally killed , I could have captured him and made him a prisoner of war.
Lt. Jones
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LT. Jones,
Young man, take these words from an older head. You aren’t responsible for where a man is in their walk, or lack of, with God. Jesus came to this world and died for you, as well as that boy, but all you’re asked to do by God is to help and encourage people around you. Show them what it means to be a Christian soldier, follow your orders and give orders that help and protect them as well as possible. In war you have to make split-second decisions; do not over-think them or you and your men will be dead. I can tell you do still have a heart for God.
What I suggest you do is write this enemy soldier a letter, get it all out, then burn it up.
Padre.
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To the unknown soldier,
I am sorry I killed you. I know you were the enemy and you would have killed me if I had not killed you. I wish I could have shared the Love of Christ with you before you died or been sent to a prisoner of war camp. I know we do not know the hour or day of our death, but we should all have the opportunity to decide if we want to accept Jesus into our lives.
So to my young soldier. Tomorrow your going to die. The choice is yours. How are you going to stand when you meet God.
...
With the letter written, I feel better. I reach over and gently place the paper in the fire. It smolders and then bursts into flames.
Good bye, young unknown soldier.
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