Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Appointment (02/09/12)
-
TITLE: An Appointment Without Time | Previous Challenge Entry
By Kathy Stevens
02/16/12 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
“Yes, time was created especially for the planet earth on the fourth day of creation. Everything else is eternity. We were created as a spirit in the image of God with a soul, and we live in a body which is our Earth Suit. When at some point the Earth Suit dies, our spirit can no longer stay on the planet, and we will go into eternity. Where will you spend yours?”
Butch and Chuck sit on the back pew in church, their eyes wide and growing wider.
Any teenage girl would say they are both good looking. Chuck’s blond hair slides down over his ample forehead as he tosses a look at Butch. Butch’s dark eyes flash under his long, dark, eyelashes. His attention is solidly on the pastor’s words, each one penetrating his senses.
Pastor Williams finishes his sermon.
“You have an appointment with eternity and there are only two choices. You can do nothing, and your default position will be hell. You were not created for that place of weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth, where the fire burns forever, and the worms do not die. Or you can choose to accept the sacrifice of Jesus. He died and went to hell for you so you would not have to, but you must choose Him. No one can make that decision for you. Who will choose Jesus today? Come forward and we will celebrate with you.”
Butch whispers, “Wow, Chuck, I didn’t know ‘bout hell like that, and I thought God was for old people.”
“Yeah, me too. Do . . . do you really think . . . . ”
They look up and Pastor Williams is looking directly at them.
“Please come to Jesus today.”
“Chuck, I . . . I feel kinda funny inside. I’m sorry, but I gotta go.”
“Yeah, me too. I’m comin’ with you.”
Chuck and Butch have been good friends since they met in grade-school and have hatched all kinds of schemes they thought were funny, but they always ended up getting into trouble. Chuck, who is tall for his age, is a good looking sort of guy and a little older than Butch. But even though Chuck is taller, Butch is wiry and could always “take” Chuck in a tussle. The boys greatly respect each other, but this is a very private decision.
Neither of them wants to go to hell, and they decide to take the free pass that Jesus offers.
Butch’s parents and Chuck’s grandmother are so happy about the boy’s decision. After the prayer, they converge on the boys to give them a big hug and tell them how happy they are.
After church, the boys are kind of quiet, not their usual teasing selves.
“You know, Chuck, I feel kind of funny. Do you? It’s kind of like something changed inside of me – kind of peaceful like. I . . . I think I even like you better.”
Chuck gives him a poke in the arm.
“I’m sorry, Butch, I . . . I kind of know how you feel. I think I like you better too.”
They grab each other in a manly wrestle and laugh. Butch suddenly breaks away with a big grin.
“I . . . I really didn’t expect to feel this way. It’s pretty cool, isn’t it?
“Yeah, it is. I wonder what else will change in us.”
“You look the same to me.”
“Yeah, so do you, almost.”
“Wha’ da ya mean, almost?”
“Well, I’m not sure how to describe it. You just look different – kind of better than you did.”
“From what Pastor Williams said, we won’t go to hell now, but I wonder if there’s more.”
“Remember he said that we have an appointment with eternity.”
“I wonder what that means.”
“You know how Grandma is always tellin’ us about heaven? I’ll bet that’s what she’s talkin’ about. Let’s go ask her now.”
“Okay, she made some great blueberry pies for the church picnic. We can help her unload ‘em.”
“Come on, boys, I’ve saved this one just for you.”
After having their fill, Butch gets serious.
“Grandma, what was Pastor saying about an appointment with eternity?”
“You boys just made the most important one you will ever make – an appointment with God.”
They look at each other with blueberry faces.
“Yeah.”
.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
My only question is a theological one. I didn't think Jesus went to Hell for us but more as a sacrifice for our sins. The way it is written, I think some could get the idea that Jesus is in Hell for eternity.
You did a great job covering the topic. You did a nice job with the dialog and showing what the characters are about.
A nice inspirational fiction, not too preachy, and clear message. Characters stood out, were entertaining and likable.