Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Walk (07/20/06)
-
TITLE: Receiving the Crown | Previous Challenge Entry
By Jean Duerr
07/27/06 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
This marked the end of years of intense preparation. Each lady came into this competition with an expectation of winning. They chose their evening gown with care. It had to be beautiful, one-of-kind, complimenting their figure, their eyes and their hair. Each lady wore a similar swimsuit and strove to convince the judges they were set apart from the others by their poise and their confident walk across the stage. They had an opportunity to show their individuality by the talent they performed. They spent hours refining their technical, intricate dance steps, practicing the graceful flow of their fingers on the piano, and singing the scales to enhance the quality of their voices. They practiced speaking in front of the mirror and their family to ensure their composure to answer the final important question at the end of the competition. And now the time had come.
The auditorium suddenly became so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Hearts were pounding. Then in a loud exuberant voice, the MC shouts, “And the new Miss America is . . .” Screams fill the air as the new Miss America throws her hands to her face while exclaiming, “I can’t believe it.” The reigning Miss America places a crown on her head and she begins the traditional walk down the runway to the words of “There she is, Miss America. . . .” Balloons and confetti fall from above, the crowds are cheering and the new Miss America waves to everyone as she begins her one year reign.
Eventually, the auditorium is empty except for the litter left behind from the joyous occasion. The lights are turned out and many of the ladies and their families head home discouraged and disappointed that they did not receive the crown.
That much sought after crown is only given to one individual whom the judges deem the best in all categories. The others may have had beautiful gowns, performed their talent with expertise, walked confidently across the stage in their swimsuit, and answered the final question perfectly, but there is only one winner, one crown.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude . . . from every nation, tribe, and people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes . . . (Rev. 9:7) and waiting for their name to be found in the book of life.
Each one there had prepared for this occasion. They had carefully and thoughtfully chosen “the garment of salvation” (Isa. 61:10). The one who purchased the garment paid a high price, but it was free to anyone who accepted the offer to wear it.
Walking across the stage of life, they didn’t act like people of this world, but determined to do what is good, pleasing, and perfect – what God wants (Rom.12:2). They heard the words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant,” because of how they handled the talents that were given to them” (Matt.25:23). And, they were always “ready to give an answer of the hope that was inside them” (I Peter 3:15). Now, their time had come.
“It sounded like the roar of a large crowd. The people were saying; Hallelujah! Salvation, glory and power belong to our God” (Rev. 19:1, 2). Their name was called and they received the “crown of life” (James 2:12). And, there will be no end to their reign.
John 3:16 says. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” Everyone can be a winner and receive the “crown of life’ and walk the runway of heaven.
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.
One thing that distracted me a little was the dashes that separated the two sections. I wonder if they are necessary.
Like I said before, this was a very good treatment of the topic. Blessings!