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: Illustrate the meaning of "Make Hay While the Sun Shines" (without using the actual phrase or literal example). (03/06/08)
She rose early from her bed to endure yet another typical day. Yet she couldn’t help but wonder just how atypical this day would actually be. For once, she was not the talk of the town.

Word on the street was that this “people of God” were dispatching a few of their own to her city, Jericho to spy out the land. She’d heard about their God who parted the Red Sea on their behalf. He caused this great body of outstretched water to supernaturally convert into two giant pillars, allowing the Israelites to cross amid dry land. The inhabitants of Jericho were deathly afraid.

Usually the subject of ridicule, she was a bit relieved that the people’s attention was directed elsewhere. As she aimlessly wondered the streets, she heard the constant chatter, and it caused her heart to fear.

Later that day, as she peered through her window, her thoughts took her away. She was sick of this place. She was tired of subjecting herself to the will of lawless and perverted men, laying down whatever bit of virtue she had left. She intended to find another way to survive, but now apparently, it was too late. But this life is all she’s ever known. It was the life that was handed to her, and she did the best she could.

Anguished women rebuked her to scorn. Men were either propositioning her for evil, or cursing her (when their wives were present of course). She never experienced true, unconditional love. Her family tried, but it wasn’t enough. It didn’t have the power to radically transform her life.

It doesn’t matter how she reached this juncture in life. The question is why couldn’t she ever escape? Her soul’s been dead a long time now. She’s an empty and shallow shell. But that’s not altogether true. Deep within – somewhere – she feels something she’s unable to explain. Could it be hope? What is it that makes her get up in the morning? Could it be purpose, or destiny?

Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock at her door; something that wouldn’t normally surprise her. People are always knocking on her door since her home is situated on this great entrance wall of Jericho. So why…. and how can she clearly hear the tempo of her heartbeat? Impossible. But what is this stirring on the inside?

Knock. Knock.

As she walked towards the door, she felt like she was walking out of defeat into something great. This was definitely a first.

When she opened that door, the eyes of her heart were enlightened and her spirit leaped joyfully. “Come in please” she managed. Two men entered her home and changed the course of her day – and her life forever.

“You are of the people of God. We have heard about you. Your God is the Lord of heaven and earth. He is a great and awesome God!” she proclaimed in faith.

Just then, there was another knock at her door that sprung her into action packed cover up mode. She was not about to abort this opportunity, even if it meant turning her back on her very own city, which is exactly what she was about to do. Without hesitation, she submitted to God and joined with His people. “Let’s make a treaty!” she said to the two men standing before her.

“I’ll hide you on my roof and steer the men behind that door in another direction. But promise me, when you take over this land, destroying all that’s in it, you will remember me and my entire family, and spare us from death. Deal?”

“It’s a deal” said the two men. The moment was hers and she seized it. She finally escaped her past, and walked into a new day. It was not a typical day at all, and somehow she knew it from the moment the sun shone through her window.

As the rest of the story goes - her life, and the lives of her family was spared. Great things followed, and she was never stepped upon again. By her aggressive act of faith, she rose up from the dunghill anew and is forever listed in the genealogy of Christ our Lord and Savior. She finally found someone who truly loved her and deemed her righteous and worthy of favor.


Based on the book of Joshua.
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 594 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Lyn Churchyard
03/14/08
What a great retelling of the story of Rahab. I like the way you portrayed her thoughts. Well done. Very well done.
Yvonne Blake 
03/15/08
Well done!
You did a great job of telling this from Rahab's POV. You showed her emotions well. The last paragraph is true, but it takes a little away from her POV.
Great story,
Thank you for writing this.
**THIS SPARKLES**
Shayne Catoe
03/16/08
This wonderful story of redemption is told well through your eyes. Thank you for putting so much effort into your studies to bring us such spiritual blessings.
Joshua Janoski
03/16/08
"So why…. and how can she clearly hear the tempo of her heartbeat? Impossible. But what is this stirring on the inside? "

I really liked those sentences. You stepped inside of Rahab's person and helped us to get a unique perspective of her and the possible emotions that she may have been feeling during this event. You showed her wanting a change and then doing what she needed to do in order to make that change in her life.

Very well written. Keep up the good work!