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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: ASKEW (06/07/18)
While I was attending Journalism classes at North Idaho College, a man in his late 30s approached me. Whatever his reason, he came over to the table where I was working on assignments and began talking to me. He was struggling to find his career path, and was considering quitting college. He seemed disappointed in himself and depressed.

Being older, and having previously struggled with this same issue, I wanted to encourage him. Not wanting him to give up, I encouraged him to continue trying new things, and he would eventually figure it out. I shared that I struggled with the same issue for years before God called me to write. I tried many educational paths to figure out what I could do, enjoy, and still have a regular income. I loved doing a wide variety of arts and crafts but they didn’t provide a steady income. After high school, my parents suggested taking business classes, and I did. Though business wasn’t my first choice, the skills I learned in those classes provided me with jobs and a regular income for many years. Then I shared that God had recently called me to write so I signed up for Journalism classes. I really enjoyed the classes and they taught me writing skills. But I knew my purpose was writing for God. I suggested this man try taking a journalism class. He said he might consider it. Afterwards, I inquired about his religious views. He said he was agnostic and didn’t believe in God. Yet, he sat and listened as I shared the Bible story of Jesus talking to Nicodemus about being born again. Finally, the man left.

The following week this young man showed up in our Journalism class. He also signed up for the college newspaper staff. At first I was somewhat proud of myself for sharing, because he seemed to enjoy working on the newspaper. My pride suddenly turned into horror as I read an opinion article he wrote in the college newspaper. This man told everyone on campus that God was found in every man, and man had no need for a God because man could resolve his own issues. This man also wrote about encounters with several Christians who had spoken to him about Jesus, but said Jesus was nowhere to be found.

My heart sank. I knew something was askew. My encouragement may have caused a big problem. Inside, I knew I had to write something to refute his article and hopefully repair the damage he may have caused. I prayed for God’s help, and He gave me the words for an article entitled “God found in the Holy Spirit.” God also gave me the wisdom to know why this man could not find Jesus. Whenever this man spoke to believers, Jesus was there, in the heart of that person, and was looking right into this man’s heart, but he was not open to receive the message Jesus had for him.

“God found in the Holy Spirit” was over 600 words in length. No matter how I tried, I could not cut it down. I finally went to the newspaper editor, who I found out later was a backslidden Christian, to see if he could help me reduce the word count without compromising the points.

When I arrived at the editor’s office and explained my situation with him, he said, “Robin, you’re never going to guess what happened. No one else turned in their articles, and I need every word of what you have written to fill up the blank space in the newspaper.” God had worked a miracle, and several of my classmates knew it, including this backslidden Christian editor.

My article went out in the college newspaper, spreading God’s word throughout campus and into the city of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and the surrounding areas. The students in my class were awed by the miracle and spoke about it for a several days afterwards.

I showed the article to a personal friend and Elder’s wife from our church. She was amazed and noticed the words God gave me silenced every opposing voice. The man I encouraged to take Journalism never returned to class. Furthermore, there were no negative responses to the article. But I learned to take care when encouraging others because your encouragement may result in them going askew.
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This article has been read 516 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Jenny Fulton 
06/15/18
Wow, quite the story and very well told. I think I'm almost more amazed at there being no negative responses. We never know how our good intentions will be taken or interpreted but it is neat to see how God works things out for his glory regardless.
Jude Harris 
06/15/18
I loved this! What an amazing story of God's intervention! I especially liked how you just couldn't seem to reduce the words and how they were needed to fill space. Inspiring to think how God works! Well written.
Linda Lawrence 
06/17/18
I find it very interesting what true stories God brings to mind when we are given a topic. And, how a memory could form more than one story - each from a different perspective or on a different topic.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
06/19/18
This is a great story. It could be even better if you used dialog, body language and thoughts. Even though it's likely a true story, it's still okay to add dialog even if you can't remember the exact words said. It's called creative nonfiction. I enjoyed your message. It's quite different than others and really stands out. Well done.