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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Bridge (07/31/08)
Recently, I was on a business trip to Connecticut. As I boarded the train that evening, I expected that I would arrive and be well rested for coming day.

As the train stopped in New York two hours later, I saw a lot of activity on the platform.
“We should be on the way in a few minutes.”I thought. However as ten minutes rolled by I wondered what the problem was. Well it was New York after all. Anything could cause delay. I had read my Bible all the way up and my eyes were tired. I closed my eyes, resting my head on the blue headrest hoping for a doze to come over me. No such luck.

I have never been comfortable in the City. Too big, too much going on, especially after 9/11. Of course, the chances were slim that something would happen while I was there, but my perceptibly small fear of going there actually caused me to carefully make arrangements in Stamford so I wouldn’t have to deal with it. Cheaper and more convenient, I thought. As I waited, I pondered the truth.

Soon, I heard the soft but authoritative tone of the intercom and a quick, excited voice,with words all coming together.

“We are going to be a few minutes folks; there is a Fire on Hellsgatebridge!"

“ Fire?” I puzzled, “Did he say Hell's Gate Bridge? Must be a joke.” I thought at first, because a scripture about Gates of Hell came to mind immediately. But knowing too well nothing is a coincidence; I realized that the Lord must be enacting a very creative situation to get my attention.

A softer female voice apologized and said to wait. We waited 15 minutes and then we were told to wait again. After that time, we were abruptly informed that we might need to make other arrangements. I wiggled in my seat clutching my purse tightly to my side.

"Other arrangements?!"

It was 7PM and plans of a long bubble bath were fading.

“I will sit here until the fire goes out, and we will proceed.” I decided, feeling safe on the train. But nothing changed as I sat there.

A woman told me commuter trains were still running over at Grand Central. But that would mean getting off the train and going through the city, I mused.

Then I though about Matthew 16:18:

And I (Jesus) say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

I had to face my irrational fear.

“Hell’s Gate Bridge huh? Well the Gates of Hell do not prevail against the Church. I will prevail.”

Any fears I had faded as I got up. Some passengers looked incredulously,and one gentleman asked, "Where are you going?" As I reached up and pulled down my bag from the overhead I said "I am getting off this train. It is not going anywhere!"

I have no idea how long it took them to get it, but at that moment I did not care.

A train delay only affected the evening, but many times we are in situations where so much more is at stake. How many times do we let the deceptiveness of comfort keep us in a place where we are going nowhere fast? How many times have we faced a “fire at Hell’s gate” and allowed key opportunities to advance in the kingdom be lost forever? One time, the Holy Spirit whispered to me "Is your peace real peace? Peace simply for the sake of comfort is not real. It will cost you. “So many times we give in to the “Battle at the Bridge” because we want things to stay the same. As we refuse to take a stand, we throw the fight. My temporary comfort was costing a peaceful evening. I had to take on some discomfort.

I made it to the hotel, of course. As the NY lights glittered from the cab on the way to Grand Central, I realized that confrontation at the gates will come at unexpected times. We have to be ready. Backing down brings delays or loss. When we go forth, others may shrink back and even try to stop you. But we have the victory as the Gates of Hell cannot prevail against one who knows that Jesus is Lord.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Sara Harricharan
08/07/08
A very interesting story! I liked the first person POV and the tone of this spunky MC. Good job, I sense a bit of a devotional in this piece. ^_^
Dan Blankenship
08/08/08
"I have never been comfortable in the City. Too big, too much going on, especially after 9/11."

These two sentences I could relate to.

Good entry. My only advice is to make the overall message a little more obvious. At times, I was wondering if I was going left or right, backwards or forwards, etc.

The reader should know: hey, I just went this way or that way...

May God bless.
Sincerely,
Dan Blankenship





Dolores Stohler 
08/11/08
The message here is a good one and your writing was good as well. You expressed your fear and discomfort at having to change trains so well. And let me reassure you: The Lord will be with you when you walk through the city streets. For one who loves God, it is no more dangerous than the country lanes. God bless you and your writing.