Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Unsung Hero (12/07/06)
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TITLE: THIS IS YOUR LIFE | Previous Challenge Entry
By Debbie Roome
12/09/06 -
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“Letitia Mary Owens. This is your life.” The opaque swirling mists cleared and Letitia felt life pouring back into her withered limbs, fleshing out her dehydrated shell. With wonder she examined the young, translucent skin that fit snugly over tapered limbs and taut muscles.
“Where am I?” she raised her head and gazed round at a massive arena of light. The brilliance of a treasure trove of diamonds seemed to dance across thick banks of cloud and a throne towered above her, the purest white she had ever seen.
“Stand ready to be judged, Letitia.” A ripple of air stirred as a shimmering book was opened and then another and another.
“Her name is in the Book of Life.”
“Proceed.”
Letitia felt overcome with awe as snatches of memory flitted through her mind. She’d been deathly ill with pneumonia. Attached to monitors and drips and barely conscious. What had happened?
As she sank to her knees, the arena filled with images that seemed to surround her. 3D images that moved and recreated her life Amazed, she saw herself as a helpless newborn, a cherubic child, and then a rebellious teenager, pregnant at age fifteen. She hung her head in shame. Her life had been a disaster from beginning to end. Three failed marriages, a brood of wayward children, a stint as a prostitute. She had never graduated and never learnt to drive. Her jobs had ranged from waitressing to cleaning toilets. Her final years had been spent in a state home, alone, neglected and abused. The only bright spot was her salvation at the age of seventy.
The scene in front of her changed and she saw a jumbo jet, lurching and twisting, passengers screaming. Their fear was tangible and she closed her eyes, thinking of a night shortly after she got saved. She’d woken with the same fear pressing in on her, ragged claws seeking to strip away peace and life. Instinctively she’ad prayed, cried out to God to release his power and bring deliverance. A preacher, visiting the home soon after, had listened to her story and encouraged her to keep praying. ´I believe God wants to use you.” He had said. “Through you, He’ll save people and change lives.” Letitia hadn’t really thought that possible but she’d continued to pray. Hour after hour as she sat hunched in her wheel chair, night after night, as she lay in her bed. The staff had ridiculed her often. Crazy Letitia they called her.
“Still praying?” they jibed. “Saved anyone today?”
“Open you eyes, Letitia.” The voice was sweet as the grapes of a thousand vines, mixed with honey. Before her, the jet slowly righted itself, the lurching abated and the passengers wept with relief as it landed safely on a grassy field.
“Oh God.” Letitia breathed the words out slowly. “Did you really use my prayers?”
A reverential awe settled over her as she watched scene after scene. A family saved from a fire. Multitudes kneeling at the altar and opening their hearts to God. A teenager who walked away from a crushed car wreck. Children in Africa receiving parcels of food, churches in communist states receiving Bibles. Warm clothes to Russia and protection for a family in Israel.
Letitia’s heart lifted in worship to her Creator. It no longer mattered that she’d been a nothing in life. That people had regarded her as a waster, a sad old woman who’d lived an unproductive life. All the ridicule and insults were forgotten. God had used her. Used her, Letitia Mary Owens, to save people and change lives.
Judgment scene based on Rev 20:11-12
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