Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Write for the FANTASY and/or SCI FI Genre (10/16/14)
-
TITLE: Wisdom Acquired | Previous Challenge Entry
By Diane M. Bowman
10/23/14 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
As I slowly gained awareness of my surroundings, I realized there was an incredible amount of light in my room for such an early hour. Just then, I heard a voice.
"Don't panic."
Don't panic?!!
Two very tall men in gleaming white robes stood by my bed. One wielded a flaming sword and the other held a strange looking pair of glasses and a set of hearing aids. The swordsman spoke. "I am Theophylactus. My companion is Olek. We are servants of the Most High God, who charged us with the keeping of the way to the tree of life."
The way to the tree of life? What did that have to do with me?
"When Adam and Eve were exiled from the Garden of Eden, we were placed as sentinels to guard the path to the tree of life, preventing their return. God loved them too much to allow them to live forever as sinful beings. He also gave us the responsibility to preserve the way to the tree, keeping the path clear. Through the marvelous plan of God, Jesus has offered men cleansing from sin and, by this, has once again opened up the way to the tree of life."
"Since then, our duties have changed. We now keep the pathway clear of obstacles that prevent men from reaching Christ and his cleansing blood which gives access to eternal life." Olek added.
Theophylactus delivered the most painful message I'd ever heard, "You have hindered our work."
Now I was scared. Absolutely, completely, terrified. My voice shook as I struggled to squeak out one syllable. "How?"
"You'll find these glasses and hearing aids by your bedside. If you truly desire to know how you lay stumbling blocks in the way to Christ, wear them tomorrow."
I yawned and sat up as my alarm sounded. Racking my brain, I tried to recall the dream that the alarm interrupted. Something about an angel... Or maybe two angels...
I reached for my glasses but they were gone. A ridiculous looking pair rested in their place. Beside them was a set of hearing aids. As details of the mysterious nighttime visit flooded back to my memory, I put the hearing aids in and tried on the glasses.
Looking in the mirror, I debated- Could I really wear these all day? But, if I didn't, I'd never know what I needed to learn.
Decision made, I went about my morning routine, preparing myself to meet the day. What a day it was!
"Time to get up." I yelled. As my four-year-old son stumbled from his room, the strangest thing happened. I expected him to laugh at my glasses but he didn't seem to see them. Instead, I could hear his thoughts and see the dejection on his face. I'd seen that expression before but couldn't decipher it.
Daddy yells all the time. Guess that's what God's like.
Throughout the day, I learned that my actions and words had convinced my business partner and my employees that God couldn't be trusted with finances.
If he believed God could be trusted, he wouldn't need to be dishonest or even so exacting. God is not a generous God.
I saw how my lack of hope in Christ steered them away from him.
Oh, no! He's coming. He's always a bear in the mornings. Being a Christian must be awful.
At Bible study that night, I discovered how obvious my façade was to everyone. To my shock, instead of feeling distress or contempt, they were following my lead.
I fell to my knees as the horror of my sin set in. Confessing my lack of faith to God and my church family, I begged for mercy.
As I knelt, I heard a distant beeping sound. It grew louder and louder until....
I yawned and sat up as my alarm went off. I racked my brain, trying to recall details of the dream interrupted by the alarm. Something about an angel... Or maybe two angels...
Picking up my glasses, I saw a crisp white note lying underneath them.
must never forget the wisdom acquired.
It was signed T&O.
Author's note:
The names in this story were taken from this website: http://www.20000-names.com
Olek means the "defender of mankind" and Theophylactus means "God-guard."
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.
God bless~
Loving you in and through and because of the Christ, Judi
1 Timothy 3:16 KJV
God bless~