Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Confused (05/21/26)
-
TITLE: Angel One-One-Niner | Previous Challenge Entry
By Joanna Dietz
05/28/26 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
Scooting over to the radio, Old Zac slammed on a headset and grabbed the mic. “Roger that!” he barked into the microphone. “Angel one-one-niner, cleared to land runway 7.”
“Cleared to land runway 7, Angel one-one-niner,” buzzed the radio.
Jumping out of his aged swivel chair, the old flight instructor ran to the window. Within moments, Angel one-one-niner came into view. Swaying wildly, Angel one-one-niner hit the landing strip with a jolt. Arms and wings flaying, the inexperienced angel tried to regain his balance. But all was in vain. Angel one-one-niner tumbled forward in a terrific somersault.
Old Zac threw back his head and burst into laughter. Turning from the window, he sauntered back to his desk, shaking his head. “Old Zac, what have you got yourself into this time!” he muttered to himself.
In a few minutes, Angel one-one-niner entered the control tower. Old Zac had taken the opportunity to pour himself a mid-morning cup of coffee and was now seated back in his swivel chair, sipping contentedly.
“A little rough there—eh, Scotty.” Scotty was the name of Angel one-one-niner.
“Oh, did you see that?” Scotty blushed as he sank into a seat across from Old Zac.
“Wouldn’t have missed it! I make a point of witnessing first landings. A guaranteed laugh—every time,” said Old Zac, smiling over his coffee.
Scotty had only recently been promoted to the ranks of earth-going angelic forces. A slow learner and forever clumsy, Scotty had to waited years for Old Zac to finally agree—against his better judgment—to let him make a mission to earth. It was from this mission that Scotty had just returned.
“Enough teasing,” Old Zac’s eyes twinkled. “How was your first mission to earth, Scotty?”
“It was incredible!” Scotty began. “I’d go back in a heartbeat. But . . . ” Scotty’s brow furrowed, “There’s something I don’t understand.”
Old Zac leaned comfortably back in his chair. Scotty being confused was nothing new to this seasoned instructor.
“What is it you don’t understand?” queried Old Zac.
“It’s those Christians down there.”
“Don’t get me started,” Old Zac interrupted, rolling his eyes. “I’ve been studying those creatures for 6000 years and still haven’t figured them out. What are they up to now? Still wearing those bell-bottoms? How about those baby blue suits? Never could stomach those.”
It was Scotty’s turn to laugh. “Old Zac, you’ve got to get out more. It’s not exactly the 1970’s anymore.”
“Okay, okay,” conceded Old Zac, joining in the laughter. “I get the message. But what’s it you can’t understand about them?”
“Well . . . it’s my assignment. Mary Whitaker.”
“I know the one. Turning eighty next week, if memory serves me correctly.”
“She’s the one. God’s given her fantastic health, at least by human standards. But recently she has become absorbed with vitamins, vegetable juicers, and diet books. She’s even signed up for the seniors’ exercise class at the YMCA. She starts next Tuesday.”
“Okay. I don’t see a problem with any of that, Scotty.”
“I can’t describe it . . . it’s like she’s afraid to die—as if death would be the worst thing that could ever happen to her. See, I could understand if she didn’t know Jesus—but she does! She sits in church and sings songs about how earth is full of trouble, how wonderful heaven will be, about wanting to see Jesus . . .”
Scotty rushed on.
“On Sundays, it sounds like she can’t wait to come here and be with Jesus. But then Monday rolls around, and instead of trying to make the most of what life she has left, she’s using every second, straining every muscle—just trying to stall death! Doesn’t she realize that death is not the end but the beginning of all things good and perfect? Does she not realize that she’s delaying the most wonderful moment of her life?!”
Old Zac sat staring at Scotty, speechless. Scotty continued.
“And what really worries me is that I think she’s rubbing off on others. There’s a granddaughter . . . she’s just like Mary. They’re so engrossed with not dying, they can’t even live! It’s like they’ve completely forgotten there’s something more—a Someone—afterwards!”
Scotty paused for a moment.
“I know I’m not the brightest star in heaven. I’m just so confused! What am I missing?!”
Old Zac set down his coffee cup.
“Scotty,” he said, “You’re not the one who’s confused.”
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.
