Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Personal Peace (06/01/06)
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TITLE: The Right Thing | Previous Challenge Entry
By Lori Othouse
06/08/06 -
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Becoming a Christian was the last thing Steve ever thought would happen in his life. As the programming director of a small but growing cable television station, things were finally falling into place. His dream of a broadcasting career actually seemed attainable now. That’s when he hired Leslie.
She was quiet and sweet, always smiling and hard working. From the beginning, she made it clear that her faith was a very important part of her life, but never preached at him like so many others he had known. And there was something different about her; she had a peace in her life that was so unusual. It intrigued him, which was the only reason he agreed to go to church with her.
Now suddenly, it seemed, he was saying a prayer and committing himself to this new life. Leslie hugged him as she dabbed her eyes with a tissue. He had to admit, he did feel lighter inside somehow. Maybe this whole Christian thing could work for him too.
For a few months, things went well. Steve enjoyed going to church and had met several new friends there. It was a welcome change from the stress at the office, which seemed to only get worse. The station wasn’t doing well financially and his position was in jeopardy. Leslie tried to encourage him, but her words became annoying to him instead of uplifting. How was this so easy for her? A seed of doubt began to grow in his heart. The peace he had enjoyed for a while was now slipping away. He tried to put the whole thing out of his mind as he concentrated on his weekly reports. Suddenly, the door to his office burst open.
“Steve, buddy, this is it! We’re back!”
Jerry, the station manager, walked over to his desk and threw some folders down in front of him.
“What’s this?” Steve asked.
“It’s what we’ve been waiting for! The guys at SunVision called last week and after going back and forth forever, we’ve got a deal!”
Steve looked at him blankly.
“We’re merging! Us and them! We are now going to be The Sun Network! No more money problems, these people have deep pockets. Wait ‘til you see your new salary!”
He opened one of the folders and pointed to a page. Steve stared at the figure as his eyes widened.
“Are you serious?” he asked, afraid to believe what he was seeing.
“Not bad, huh?” Jerry answered, slapping him on the back.
“It’s just so fast, isn’t it?”
“Yeah…but who cares? When you’re drowning, you don’t question it if a life preserver drops out of the sky. You just grab it! You need to sign some things here. We need a witness, too, so call Leslie in.”
Steve could hardly believe what was happening. He called for Leslie and began to sign the sea of paperwork in front of him. After several pages, something caught his eye.
“What’s this one?” he asked.
“Oh, that’s the ban on religious programming. They don’t want any more of that Jesus, Christian stuff on. This says that we won’t allow any religious programs to be broadcast.”
Steve stopped and looked up at him. “But we already have several on the air now.”
“Then I guess they’re gone!” He noticed his hesitancy. “We’re moving up here. Those kind of shows don’t bring in the numbers anymore.”
“But they do so much good,” Leslie interjected. “People need-"
“Okay, this is not a morality discussion,” Jerry interrupted. “It’s business. It doesn’t belong here.”
Steve fumbled with his pen, staring at the daily scripture calendar Leslie had given him. Matthew 13:20 & 21 stared with conviction back at him.
“Steve, think about all you could do with that money! If you don’t sign it, someone else will. Someone who may be taking your place.”
He had a point. Not signing wouldn’t necessarily stop them. And getting fired wouldn’t be a very good testimony. Besides, he could give a lot more if he made more money, right? He avoided Leslie’s stare as he continued to sign. After all, it seemed like the right thing to do.
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