Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Control (01/30/06)
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TITLE: At Emily's Celestial Parade | Previous Challenge Entry
By Stevie McHugh
02/02/06 -
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Emily watches with interest as the next speaker appears on the stage, rising from underneath it on a pedestal. It is a woman, also gray-haired, with a glowing smile and sparkling eyes. She steps forward and begins speaking in a silky, vibrant voice.
“My name is Nicole. If I were to choose a motto to highlight my earthly walk with God, it would be ‘Let Go and Let God.’
“The first time I saw those words, I had been a born-again believer for over a year yet felt a continuous inner struggle. I lacked the promised peace. When I read ‘Let Go and Let God,’ my spirit grabbed hold of it like an asthmatic to a breath of air. But I didn’t have a clue what it meant. Let go of what? Let God do what? I pondered those questions many times.
“A glimmer of understanding came years later. I had been reading an acclaimed spiritual book by Andrew Murray. In its pages, it was strongly suggested that I should thank God for my mother. She was responsible for numerous scarring abuses I had suffered as a child. Being thankful for such a mother seemed ludicrous to me. My inner turmoil reached its pinnacle. In that moment, the Holy Spirit whispered, ‘Let go and let God.’ The words fell into place, as though they were a puzzle piece I had finally found the right spot for. I realized that I had to let go of every offense, but how? The answer came without delay: Let God! I prayed, ‘Lord, I can’t do it without your help. By faith, I thank You for my mother and forgive every offense.’ After that, a measure of peace flooded my heart; and the relationship with my mother changed for the better immediately.
“After a long while, the special motto touched my life again. I had been distraught for years about a continually and unjustly denied raise in pay at my job. Then, after a period of fasting and focus on scriptures, the Spirit of God nudged me in the night, saying, ‘Let go and let God.” This time the effect was like a long, intricately placed row of dominoes falling down, one after the other. I was humbled and overcome with heartfelt repentance. 'God is the giver of promotion. I am in His hands. I’m not a victim of anyone’s greed or injustice. I’m grateful for my job, grateful for God’s faithful provision.'
“In that state of humility, peace flooded my soul, rarely to depart. A childlike trust in God to be in full control of my life was the secret behind the motto.
“And where did I first read ‘Let Go and Let God’? It was on the bumper of a car, while driving on Texas Highway 73.”
Nicole walks down the steps at the front of the stage and stands before Emily, taking her hands into her own. “Thank you, Emily. Your obedience to place that sticker on your car blessed me so much. It was a seed that bore much fruit.” The women embrace, and the audience applauds thunderously.
Two angels escort Nicole in her shimmering white robe to the next Celestial Parade in which she will appear to express gratitude to another faithful servant of Jesus Christ. At a time of God’s choosing, a parade will be thrown in Nicole’s honor, as well.
Emily, in awe of the ways God used her to touch other lives on earth, watches attentively as another speaker appears on the bright celestial stage.
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