Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Reading (01/25/07)
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TITLE: What Goes In Must Come Out | Previous Challenge Entry
By Lauri Gruen
01/31/07 -
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He stumbled downstairs following the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. A scrumptious breakfast awaited him, needing a quick reheat in the microwave.
Jeremy loved every moment of Mom’s pampering. This was Jeremy’s last spring break home before he started his dream job after college graduation. Excited as he was about his future, he cherished these last carefree days of being unconditionally spoiled.
Sitting down to his banquet, he opened the neatly folded newspaper Mom left for him. He smiled and thought, “She doesn’t forget a single detail, does she?” Ever since he was little, he always hungered for something to read at breakfast.
Jeremy snapped open the paper and instantly, his quiet, euphoric world shattered.
The headlines read:
DRUGS AND WICCA GATHERING A FATAL COMBINATION FOR LOCAL BOY.
Such headlines were rare in this small town. As Jeremy read further, he was shocked to learn a former classmate, Brad Snyder, had died from drug overdose.
“Lord, no!” gasped Jeremy, “how could this be?” He hadn’t seen Brad since high school graduation. His own life went flashing before him as he recalled fond childhood memories with Brad. They lived on the same block and were inseparable during summertime. They shared many adventures together, including a very special treehouse. Perhaps it was not the only treehouse in the neighborhood, but most certainly the only one with a library. Both boys were avid readers. Often their mothers would find them under the stars with flashlights, absorbed in fantasy and adventure novels.
One summer, just before middle school, a change occurred between the boys, quite common at age 11. Jeremy discovered the world of Narnia and devoured every volume, reading them multiple times until etched in his memory. He showed a book to Brad, who was only mildly interested. Brad also had discovered a new fantasy world and became engrossed in reading the Harry Potter series. Brad was one of the many dedicated fans standing on line for hours on the day the 3rd novel appeared in bookstores.
That was the last summer Brad and Jeremy spent time together. Just before the second year of middle school, Jeremy and his family moved across town. By the time the boys started attending the same High School, not only had their interests grown in completely different directions, they barely recognized each other in the hallways.
Staring at the newspaper, Jeremy’s mind started spinning. How could two buddies from the same playground wind up on such different paths? Which direction had Brad taken to reach the end he did? Jeremy reflected on his own path these last few years.
He worked hard in school, got decent grades and participated in various school activities. Once, a classmate invited Jeremy to a church youth event. Not knowing what to expect, but always open to new experiences, Jeremy attended. Surely, he did not return home the same. On that momentous evening some six years ago, he had an encounter with the Living God which changed him forever. Never before had he considered God’s purposes for him. At once, he relentlessly pursued all that God had for him. About to embark on his new career, Jeremy knew God had been faithful to direct him on His path.
But what about Brad? How did he lose his way? Thinking about what connected them so very long ago, Jeremy remembered their shared love of reading. Suddenly, he realized something - while Jeremy was devouring the Chronicles of Narnia and opening his heart to the hidden message of salvation, Brad was embracing the dark powers of Hogwarts School of Magic. Was it possible the written word they absorbed in their minds directed the path they chose?
Jeremy was unaware as he read about Aslan that one day he would embrace the very message portrayed by C.S. Lewis. Yet looking back on his life at this somber moment, Jeremy clearly saw God’s hand leading him towards Him. When Brad opened the door to divination, did he know he was headed down a destructive path?
With a heavy heart, Jeremy turned to his Bible and began to read the comforting Words of Life … “He leads me beside the still waters.”
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