Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Present - Repents - Serpent (07/17/25)
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TITLE: Free Indeed | Previous Challenge Entry
By GiGi Mezzio
07/24/25 -
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Gloomy clouds hang menacingly outside as I anxiously dress for my big day.
I comb my long, snarly dark hair into a high ponytail and apply the expensive waterproof mascara that I only wear for special occasions. This is to be the most special event of my life, right? I hesitate momentarily and look disparagingly at my reflection in the bathroom mirror of my tiny one bedroom furnished apartment. I brush my teeth slowly, noticing the ugly, elongated eye tooth that looks vampirish and wince.
‘So I’m not perfect but that’s okay,’ I tell myself as I pull on my This Is My Church Shirt tee and grab an oversized hand bag that I picked up at a local consignment shop, as I head out the door.
While driving my seven year old gray PT Cruiser, I begin feeling nauseas and debate turning around and going back home. Back to my old life. Back to what I am turning away from. I snap with the knowledge that I must stop looking in my rearview mirror and face forward with faith. I realize that I can never be good enough to receive the blessings that God has in store for me.
Now, I’m reliving my sordid past, mainly the parts I would rather forget. What am I thinking? ‘ I am a hot mess express,’ I reprimand myself, pounding the steering wheel. ‘I have been fooled by the world’s values all of my life. I’ve lived selfishly and passionately in the flesh with little regard for others or my own eternal identity.’ I tremble slightly at these thoughts of all the “good times wasted having good times”—or so I thought.
“But that’s not who I am now!” I shout out loud, rebuking the serpent who always “comes to kill, steal, and destroy.” (John 10:10 NIV)
His ominous whisper tells me that I should turn around and go take a Xanax ; but I rebuke him audibly, “Get thee behind me, Satan!” (Matthew 4:10 NIV).
I drive onward, singing along with Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll on the radio.
I slowly pull into the car park at Christian Center Church. I pray silently, ‘Lord, I do love you. I’m so sorry for doubting that you love me, too. Please help my unbelief.’
I get out of my car and walk nervously to the tabernacle .
Inside, Pastor Nolan smiles warmly. “Come with me, Noelle,” guiding me gently to the front of the sanctuary…next to the cross, where it all began.
I can’t stop my legs from shaking and sweat pours from my armpits, even though many women in the congregation are wearing cardigans.
When the music begins playing “I surrender”, I move forward, out of my seat onto the platform. I’m following others blindly, as in a daze, uplifted in my spirit as never have I ever believed possible. Not on this earth anyway. I completely repent and am assured in my heart that I am indeed forgiven. I’m even forgiven of all the sins committed that I have forgotten.
I’m floating on air as I step into the baptismal. As Pastor Nolan takes me under in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I see the immaculate light of God’s love embracing me. My sins are washed away and I no longer feel burdened with the cares of this world. Free at last. I am a new creature in Jesus Christ.
I will be looking in the windshield as I move forward with no turning back. I have just received a present, the best gift I will ever receive in this earthly life.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believers on him should not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 ASV)
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I understood what you meant, but I would revise this sentence: I can’t stop my legs from shaking and sweat pours from my armpits, even though [I'm in a t-shirt]. many women in the congregation are wearing cardigans.