The Official Writing Challenge
BACK TO
CHALLENGE
MAIN
INSTRUCTIONS
how it works
submission rules
guidelines for
choosing a level
ENTRIES
submit your entry
read current entries
read past entries
challenge winners
Our Daily Devotional HERE
Place it on your site or
receive it daily by email.


TRUST JESUS TODAY

  • Share
  • how it works
  • Submit
Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: The Church (12/06/07)
Tears streamed down my make-up stained faces as I gazed toward my reflection for the final time. I did not recognize the young woman that stood before me nor had I for the last several years. Her tears etching a beautiful tear stained pattern on her face, her hands clutching a readily beating heart against her chest and a peaceful smile be seen behind the mask of what one could have mistaken for pain.

A beautiful white cloth not only clothed the outward reflection in the mirror seen through others eyes but also the inward reflection of a blood stained soul. The soul, my very soul that was ransomed and redeemed at such a high price, the price of his very blood and his very life.

Long ago he promised he’d return once he prepared a place for me in paradise. His promised paradise seemed so far away but in faith, love and hope I’ve waited. I’ve waited for his promise of a life no longer tainted by peace rather than pain, healing rather than heartache and love rather than loss.

He left no forwarding address nor did he disclose a telephone number only a promise that he’d return again. Yet again I needed neither for he left an eternal impression on my heart. He imprinted a passion for people; he imprinted a heart for the hopelessness, strength for the sorrowing, courage for the captives and a imprinted heart gazing towards heaven.

At times he seems to be so close yet so distance, he seems so fearful yet so forgiving, he seems so persistent yet so patient and he seems so adamant yet so attentive. He hands heal the hurting and the suffering, his heart aches for the pained, his voice comforts the forgotten and his blood soaks the souls of sinners. He imprints a piece of perfection on our hearts, a reflection himself on our souls. When others gaze upon us or we gaze upon ourselves we gaze upon an image of Him.

Today for the first time I will finally gaze upon the image of perfection, peace and promise Himself. In my heart I will call him husband and he will take me as his bride. My vows will echo throughout the entryways of eternity, my voice will echo throughout the endless corridors of time and my heart will echo throughout the halls of heaven.

I will stand before my husband, my Savior and my Redeemer. I will stand amongst a crowd but in his eyes I will alone among the vastness of eternity.

Tears streamed down my make-up stained face not as tears of sorrow but rather tears of hope. Hastily my heart skipped a very beat, overwhelming thoughts of love, longing and life overflowed the very essence of my soul. My soul quieted and my feet quickened there pace. Today his promise would finally be fulfilled, my heart would become his home and I would finally become his bride, flawless and forgiven in his eyes. No longer was I stained with imperfections of my humanity or my heart. Today I my heart would be seen through the eyes of heaven and my soul seen through the eyes of salvation. For a moment I gazed towards my reflection engrossed by what once was and overwhelmed but what will soon be.

As I walked toward the wedding altar I witnessed such a vastness of white extending as far as the eyes could see. Contingences of white clothed Christian was preparing themselves for the Wedding Supper of the Lamb. Every human heart was filled with love, longing, healing and hope as our feet carried us forward toward our awaiting Lord. With longing eyes, open arms and a voice of hope He welcomed unto himself.

“Today, my beautiful bride, the Church,” he gently whispers to every waiting soul. “Today in love, in truth and in faith I claim you as my mine. In heart, body, mind and soul I call you my own.”

My hands remove the starched and scratchy veil that once encompassed my face so that my eyes now encompass Him.

To Anyone Reading:

My bags are packed, I’m ready to go
I’ve left no forwarding address
I’m on an eternal honeymoon
With no intent of returning anytime soon


Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready. – Revelation 19: 7
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE

JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
This article has been read 935 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Joanne Sher 
12/16/07
Beautifully constructed and blissful piece. I love the use of alliteration - gave this piece a wonderful flow. The end poem is priceless - and classic. Just plain wonderful stuff here.
Catrina Bradley
12/16/07
Heart-wrenching testimony. Am I correct in thinking the end poem is a suicide note? A few missing words, and one "there" instead of "their" - some minor editing would fix this right up. Beautifully written.
Jan Ross
12/16/07
Such a beautifully tender piece depicting the love of the Church--the Bride for her Bridegroom. This needs a few typo and grammar corrections, but other than that it's very well done! I'm ready to go, too! :) Christmas blessings! :)
Marilyn Schnepp 
12/17/07
Such a great creative piece about His bride, the Church. Needs some editing with spelling & punctuation and always capitalize His name - but I loved the Title and the content. Super creative!
Jan Ackerson
12/17/07
Beautiful allegory!

A few minor clean-ups, and this one moves to the top of the pile. Nicely done.
JoAnne Potter
12/19/07
I really like the longing and sure sense of God's faithfulness here, but the end poem confuses me. Suicide? I hope not, because that infers hopelessness and lack of confidence in God's perfect life plan. Deathbed message? That makes more sense, but could someone on their deathbed been so lucid? Anyway, your use of language was a pleasure to read.
Ann Renae Hair
12/20/07
I am curious about the suicide theory...I completely took it as a salvation message...I hope I'm right! Very well done. Congratulations on HC.
Sheri Gordon
12/21/07
Congratulations on your highly commended. I really liked your ending.