Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Expose (08/22/13)
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TITLE: Mirror Mirror on the Wall | Previous Challenge Entry
By JoAnne Billison
08/28/13 -
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“Ugh”, she thought, “my green eyes once sparkled like Jade in the sunshine.” “They once revealed the glow of joy and happiness…now they only show the depths of my despair.”
The eyes truly are the windows to the soul.
The years have not treated Vicky very well. Never in her wildest dreams did she think her life would end up so messy. Never in her wildest dreams did she think she would outlive 2 husbands. Fate was not on her side. And now, in addition to everything else, her affair with Tim was exposed. He was seen leaving her apartment early Tuesday morning. And, that same day, her character was trashed as she became the subject of ugly office gossip.
“How could I have gotten involved with my boss?” Running her hands through her hair, “What was I thinking!?”
After freshening up, Vicky took a deep breath, looked down and quickly returned to her desk. She knew there was no way she could erase the visible signs of her shattered life. Those signs were now permanently engraved into the features of her face. Vicky was exposed; her failed life was on display for the entire world to see.
Doug, a happily married Christian man, sat at the desk next to her. He knew exaggerated stories were spreading around the office like wildfire and often tried to put out the flames.
“Everyone makes mistakes”, he would say.
“I won’t be a part of tearing someone down just because their “drama” became public news.” “This talk needs to end right now.”
He and his wife wanted to help Vicky. They knew that prayer was the best way to start.
After several weeks passed by, Doug felt moved to reach out to Vicky. Taking a leap of faith one day, he invited her to his home for dinner.
“Let me look into my schedule and get back to you.” Vicky replied.
“I don’t know what to do!” she frantically thought. “Doug always treats me so nice and seems genuine…but can I trust him and his wife?”
“Why would they ask me to dinner?”
Several random thoughts kept swirling around in her head. But, in the end, she told herself “What do I have to lose?” “It would be nice to be with people who don’t treat me poorly.”
Vicky cautiously accepted the invite.
I often wonder what the real story was behind the “Woman at the Well” (Jn 4:7-30). Jesus tells us she had 5 husbands and was not married, but living with a man, at the time he spoke with her.
I wonder what drove her to face the stigma of adultery. I wonder if she had any options other than rely on a man to take her in. I wonder what happened to her family, did they reject her? I wonder how many years passed before Jesus offered to purify her soul and cover her exposure.
The unnamed Samaritan woman was considered an “untouchable” member of her community. Yet, Jesus chose to talk with her. He chose to share the secret of salvation, forgiveness, and eternal life, with her. He didn’t see her as untouchable. In fact, I’m pretty sure He saw her the same way He saw me… someone lost in need of saving.
At one time or another, we all stood exposed. Our joy came through Christ, as He covered us with His pure white garment. I, for one, am grateful to my friend, who took a leap of faith 15 years ago and introduced herself to me. Through her, I met Jesus.
We don’t have to go far to find lost individuals in need of saving. We don’t need to hang out in dark places, or expose ourselves to ungodly behaviors. All we need to do is pay attention to the Holy Spirit within us and see who is in need around us. Soon enough we’ll be directed to neighbors, co-workers, extended family members, children, and many lonely people looking for anyone offering them a gesture of friendship. If the woman at the well were alive today, she’d look very different, but her need would remain the same.
Who has God placed on your heart? Is the Holy Spirit prompting you to reach out to someone in need?
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Thank you.
God bless~
Thanks for sharing.