Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: The Church (12/06/07)
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TITLE: "Bent Reeds and Smoking Flax" | Previous Challenge Entry
By Frank Salerni
12/06/07 -
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The winds from the north blew relentlessly on the one hundred year old church asking it to beg for mercy. Ice breathed on the bell tower driving out any would-be inhabitance. The walls creaked from the weight of new snow, and the winter chill grew stronger with every moment. An old thermometer that hung under the eve was dirty and barely visible to the eye, but the red needle seemed to point somewhere between minus five to minus ten degrees below zero. The black steel wood stove was iced over; it had not been used for many years.
Cobwebs draped from one pew to the other connecting them like a vast bridge across still waters. An antiquated organ stood in solemn protest against the front wall next to the empty altar. A round stained glass window shed no light as the figure of Jesus helping children could hardly be seen.
Then, on this dreadful morning, headlights graced the grounds leading to the large double doors secured by a cold chain and padlock. A stranger in a full-length wool coat stepped out into the frostbitten yard with one hand in his pockets, and the other on top of his hat to hold it in place. He stood in snow that rose above his boot tops, fumbled for a key, and after warming the frozen lock with his own breath, opened the front door and went inside.
He placed the lock and chain on the entry table that once held courtesy bibles and hymnals before standing squarely, feet apart, with hands held high, and faced the altar speaking loudly these words.
“Lord, this old building is not your church, but in my spirit I must confess that in some ways may certainly represent a part of it. I ask forgiveness as I stand here within its emptiness. The people… your true church; have abandoned this place due to fear. Instead of hellfire driving them out the devil has used a tactical maneuver known as aloneness, and desperation to drive the sheep of this flock into isolation. Many have not even so much as returned to You, because of feeling unworthy of Your presence.”
He held his head back and looking up to heaven brought both hands to his eyes and wiped the tears that streamed from his face.
“NO MORE! By Your grace and by Your mercy I claim this place in the name of Jesus Christ. From its bell tower to the basement I ask that You redeem it all including the grounds that it stands on. This is Sunday morning let the bell toll for any who yearn for Your goodness.”
With that he stepped up on the altar and pulled hard on the rope to the bell tower. The bell rang out breaking the silence, and sending icicles of all sizes plummeting to the earth.
“This is Your church. Fill it with Your warmth… You break the chains of bondage that hold this place captive. You have not left Your people, Lord, but Your people have left You. Forgive us, Lord.”
The cold for this man was no longer felt as he continued to pray silently in intercession.
Then, the door opened, a woman entered and said, “I heard the bell. Does this mean we will be having church here again?”
The man turned, and with great joy told the woman that he had bought the building and it was his hope that the community would help him restore it. The door opened once again and two more curious townspeople came in. They removed the cobwebs from a pew and sat down.
“Are we having church here again?” they asked.
Within an hour the small building was bustling with activity. Some came with armloads of wood, and soon a warm fire burned in the old stove. Some called others on the telephone announcing the unexpected church service, and they also joined in.
Then the sun broke through the dusty stain glass, life was breathed into each person as encouragement and hope filled hearts, and no one cared about the accumulated dirt. God had not allowed the filth of the enemy’s lies to separate the saints. In its place they knew that He was cleaning up hearts first, and pews second.
The man was simply obedient to God’s call. The people… “The church” rejoiced.
A wonderful word, rejoice… To return to your source of joy, and that of course is Jesus!
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FYI--"inhabitants" and "eaves" in the first paragraph.
This is a heartwarming story.