Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Favoritism (02/28/05)
-
TITLE: Storm Clouds | Previous Challenge Entry
By
03/03/05 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
His thoughts drifted to cliques and what they represented. John hated cliques. To him they embodied the ultimate in hypocrisy. You could find them anywhere. These little groups of people who feigned friendship but in actuality gathered for their own selfish reasons. He loathed the thought of joining one.
John knew that his standoffishness had earned him the title of lone wolf but he didn’t care. His independence had always been more important than his social status. He saw it as an honorable way to be. It is why he could count the number of friends he’d had in his thirty- two years of life on one hand. For him to call someone friend was the same as calling him brother.
It was why when a long time friend had become a Christian John listened to what he had to say. It was why earlier in the year John himself had become a believer. The change had been easy for John, having always tried to live a principled life.
The hardest part to his new found belief had been in finding a church to attend. It didn’t take many visits to most churches to find that people in them were not much different than people who professed no faith. That in one form or another there were cliques in churches as well. Sometimes it was a struggle not to feel like a hypocrite by attending church.
He’d finally found a church he could call home with some measure of comfort. Most of the people tried to live up to their Christian values. Values at least as John himself understood them from the perspective of a new believer.
John’s thoughts concluded as he came upon his church. He entered the church about the same time an old man walked in behind him. The old man was grizzled and wore faded overalls and scuffed boots. He shuffled over to a back pew and sat. People at the church had smiled nervously at him but otherwise kept their distance. John took exception to this and made it a point to sit by the old man and introduced himself.
“Hi. I’m John. John Stevers. I’m a member here.”
“Just call me Gabe young man. I’m just passing through and it being Sunday and all decided to stop and give my respects to the Lord.” Gabe offered his hand which John took in the friendship of one Christian Brother meeting another for the first time.
It was then John heard the first roll of thunder signaling the coming of the storm. The congregation began to settle into a comfortable silence as the choir stood for the opening hymn. A gust of wind shook the church as the storm rolled through. It was followed by a crash of thunder which startled the people. That was immediately followed by a louder thunderclap which rattled the windows and darkened the lights. Muffled gasps were heard throughout the congregation. Outside weather alert sirens began to sound their terrifying wail as they signaled their warning of a coming tornado.
The people began to stand and mingle in the darkness unsure of what to do. Fear began to set in as the church had no basement.
John felt rather than saw the old man rise from his seat and stand. Then in a comforting voice spoke to the people. “You need not fear. God is with you this day.” He had no sooner spoke than the wind began to settle and the storm abate. The old man spoke one final time. “I came and was greeted only by one of you. Because of this, he is most cherished by God. Have you not heard to be hospitable because you never know when you might be entertaining an angel?”
The lights flickered back on. John looked over at the old man but he was gone. “Gabe?” John’s mind then brought the old man’s name to its full conclusion. “Gabriel.” He spoke softly.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
