Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Exhale (08/15/13)
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TITLE: Struggling to Breathe | Previous Challenge Entry
By Lisa Johnson
08/22/13 -
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In the jungle, there is no sound as the prey is stalked. Not a branch moves . . . there is no rustling of the leaves to warn the unsuspecting victim of the impending danger. The first contact is silky and smooth . . . almost imperceptible, as the constrictor coils itself around its future meal.
Thus begins the macabre dance of death.
The victim takes a breath. On the exhale, the constrictor squeezes. The next breath is more shallow, as the prey is unable to fully inhale against the death grip of its captor.
Confusion blooms into panic, as the victim struggles against the unrelenting rhythm of the dance.
Breathe in . . . exhale . . . squeeze.
Breathe in . . . exhale . . . squeeze.
Breathe in . . . exhale . . . squeeze . . . until the constrictor squeezes the life out of its prey.
Our world is like a jungle . . . and the serpent of Eden still lurks behind the foliage, seeking his prey. His ways are crafty . . . his approach silky and smooth . . . yet sinister. His ultimate goal is to squeeze the spiritual life out of as many souls as possible.
The difference between these two scenarios is this . . .
Once the constrictor takes hold of its prey, the victim has no hope of deliverance. Every exhale brings the certainty of death and destruction closer and closer. No matter how intense the struggle, the outcome is certain.
The serpent of Eden may think he has the upper hand. He is the author of confusion, after all. But God has not given us the spirit of fear . . .and Jesus Christ, God's Son, was born to crush the head of the serpent.
The struggle for our deliverance was intense. Our freedom to exhale hung in the balance, as Jesus hung on the cross. Jesus paid the price for our deliverance . . . our salvation. He said all that needed to be said, with the words, “It is finished.”
Though Satan continues his stealthy search for victims to suffocate spiritually, he has not been given ultimate power. Through Jesus, we have the strength it takes to resist the attacks of the serpent of Eden. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. When He sets us free, we are free indeed.
The outcome is certain . . .so . . . exhale.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Scripture References:
I Peter 5:8
Jeremiah 29:11
2 Timothy 1:7
John 14:6
John 8:32
John 8:36
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Very well done.
God bless~
The only red ink I would offer is to use ellipses sparingly. If you overuse them it can be distracting at worst, and at best, lessen the intended impact.
The first part took me back to my childhood. We had a boa constrictor and would have snake feeding night at the Hall's. It was quite gruesome, but so shows how people can get mesmerized by such things. That memory translates into your message with precision. You knocked it out of the park with this devotion.
The only red ink I would offer is to use ellipses sparingly. If you overuse them it can be distracting at worst, and at best, lessen the intended impact.
The first part took me back to my childhood. We had a boa constrictor and would have snake feeding night at the Hall's. It was quite gruesome, but so shows how people can get mesmerized by such things. That memory translates into your message with precision. You knocked it out of the park with this devotion.