Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Craft (as in handcraft) (02/08/07)
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TITLE: Finger of God | Previous Challenge Entry
By Evelyn Anand
02/12/07 -
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The Sanskrit mantras were intermingled with deep plea, begging the deity to free him from the torment that plagued him day and night. The tiny shack was suddenly filled with a fearful presence. His thin body trembled in anticipation of a breakthrough; however, he experienced only a relapse. He buckled under the intense pain that surged through his body. Unable to bear the pain, he dropped to his knees and barely managed to crawl to his bed. Ganesha! Save me. I’ve tried everything. What else do you need? What use is life if I have to spend it in torment, grief and poverty? I’ll jump off the roof and end this miserable life…
***********
“Can you come immediately, Pastor? Something is happening!” The voice on the phone sounded frantic.
“I’ll be there in half hour. Can you repeat your address again?”
“Honey, Thomas called, we have a new case. Cover us in prayer and don’t wait up for me.” I grabbed my car keys and headed out.
I picked up Co-Pastor Jude on my way there. I checked the address to see if we had the right place. The apartment block was dark, dirty and dilapidated. I decided to park my car further down the road, for safety reasons.
We were greeted outside the apartment block by Thomas. “His room is on the roof. I’ve locked the door from the outside to keep him inside. It’s as if something has possessed him, and …”
We made our way up three flights of stairs. On the roof there was a tiny shack, made out of wooden planks and tin sheets. Thomas unlocked the door and we stepped inside the room. We saw him lying on a worn out mattress on the floor.
Hearing our voices, he sat up and looked at us with confused eyes. His roommate pulled up two dusty carton boxes and spread two dishcloths over them and invited us to sit down.
My heart was filled with pity and love for the young man. “Thomas tells us that you are not well?”
Am I still alive? What happened? I thought I jumped from the building? Who are these men? Who stopped me? Why won’t he leave me alone? I just want to end my misery. Ganesha! Where are you? Maybe I have displeased the gods.
“Ramesh? Can you tell us what’s been happening to you? I leaned forward and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. “We are here to help you.”
Ramesh glanced up from his reverie and said, “What do you want to know?”
We maintained our eye contact with him, but prayed silently in the spirit asking the Holy Spirit for his help. “Well, can you tell us what you’ve been feeling?” “Why did you attempt to commit suicide today?” I probed gently.
“…I’ve tried it all,” mumbled Ramesh. “My sickness is incurable. Even the doctors are not sure what it is? I’ve tried yoga, meditation, offered prayers to various gods and still nothing. No job, no money, all I have is only torment and pain.”
The Holy Spirit in me began discern the demonic spirit responsible for his oppression. I looked around the room, trying to spot it. Empty tins were lined up against the wall. An old stove, some crockery and an old worn out suitcase were the only items in the room.
“Do you have any idols here?” I asked. “No, nothing here,” he swore.
“Ramesh, do you want to be healed?” I asked. “You have tried all your deities. They have not helped you. We know a God, who is above all other gods. He can set you free.”
*****
I looked at my watch, it’s nearly midnight. This had certainly been a night to remember. Sinner set free, healed in an instant by the Power of God. Six different hand crafted idols were renounced and discarded. The Word of God had translated yet another person from the Kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of Heaven.
*Hindu Elephant God
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