Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Singing (10/31/05)
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TITLE: If Ever I Loved Thee... | Previous Challenge Entry
By Lori Othouse
11/07/05 -
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Alana never dreamed the persecution would go this far. Her pastor had warned and tried to prepare them, but what could prepare a congregation for men with machine guns demanding they renounce Christ or be taken captive? She had remained strong in her confession and so here she sat.
They were kept in separate cells and every day led to an open field where they watched as one was executed. The pastor would be last, after he had witnessed the death of each member of his congregation. That’s how they were…sadistic, heartless, lost.
When the thought of her fate became almost unbearable, a peace came to Alana through the words of a familiar hymn by William Featherston. Closing her eyes, she sang them quietly to herself:
“My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine;
For Thee all the follies of sin I resign.
My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ‘tis now.”
A sharp clang jarred her as the door to her cell was opened. She was pulled out to line up with everyone else, to begin the march out to the field. Their faces held a mixture of fear, pain and weariness that grew more intensified every day. Trying to distract herself, Alana thought back to happier times. She remembered when she first accepted Christ and the tremendous love she felt. It was that love that had drawn her to Him and kept her serving Him, even until now. As she stumbled along the hard ground, the second verse of the hymn formed on her lips:
“I love Thee because Thou has first loved me,
And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree.
I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ‘tis now.”
Alana trembled as she stood side by side with her dwindling church family. The one responsible for choosing who would die walked slowly back and forth in front of them with an evil grin. She avoided his eyes, but suddenly felt a strong grasp on her wrist. Her heart raced as she was pulled over to face a firing squad. Bound in chains next to them was her pastor, tears streaming down his anguished face.
She was given one more chance to deny Christ and go free but, though she looked longingly at the distant hills, she stood her ground. He asked if she had any last words. Of all she could say at that moment, the third verse of her hymn resonated through her mind. Everyone fell silent as she sang it through her tears:
“I’ll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death,
And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath;
And say when the death dew lies cold on my brow,
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ‘tis now.”
She took a final deep breath and closed her eyes. The shots rang out, piercing the frigid air and echoing through the hills.
**************
The air was filled with peace like a sweet fragrance. Joy seemed to spring forth out of nothing and freshen spirits like a soft rain. There was a continual song of praise from every side being lifted up by countless voices in perfect harmony to their Lord. Yet above it all, in the newest corner of Heaven, a beautiful melody was heard. Alana gazed into the loving eyes of her Savior as she finished her love song to Him from her new Heavenly home:
“In mansions of glory and endless delight,
I’ll ever adore Thee in Heaven so bright;
I’ll sing with the glittering crown on my brow:
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ‘tis now.”
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It was always a pet peeve of mine, lyrics in songs, but you made it beautiful. Heart wrenching.
Oh, Jesus... If I Ever Loved Thee...
I've got to check out some more stuff from you Lori, cause you're a talent not to be ignored.