Christian Living

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Damien’s gnarled hands shook as he looked down at the letter his superior just handed to him.

URGENT!
SUBJECT NEARING DEATH. IT HAS BEEN REPORTED THAT HE IS CONSIDERING THE ENEMY CAMP AS POSSIBLE ETERNAL HOME. MUST STOP ENEMY PLANS AT ALL COSTS!

It had been so long since Damien had received one of these letters. He had grown tired of the constant fighting and had retired to the “easy” cases. His days were spent relaxing in the homes of people whose hearts were already hard and whose minds were already made up. Why were they calling him in for this? Surely there were others who could handle the situation?
His superior answered as though he had read Damien’s mind.
“You’re the best in this area and we need the best!”
A small smirk played at Damien’s mouth. He liked hearing that, he liked knowing that he was thought of as the best.
“We can’t afford to lose this one, we have invested far too much time in him!” His superior continued.
“I’ll take care of it!” Damien practically shouted as excitement seemed to run through his blood.
His superior nodded. “The Master knew that he could count on you!”

The house was dark. The only light came from the television in the corner of the room. Benjamin Matthews sat in his favorite chair, Bible open on his lap, eyes staring at the ceiling. The pain was constant now. His strength was almost completely gone, he knew it was only a matter of time. He glanced down at the Bible in his lap that his next door neighbor had given to him last week. What was it his neighbor had said? Something about finding the hope and peace that only Jesus could offer? Benjamin tried hard to remember but his mind was so fuzzy these days. Damien sat unnoticed on the side of the chair gently whispering to him the words he wanted Benjamin’s mind to remember.
“I’ve been such a good person, surely God is pleased with me! After all, I’ve given to many charities, helped relatives out who where in need and I’ve even gone to church a few times! What more could God ask?”
Benjamin shifted slightly in his chair, leaned his head back and closed his eyes. The thoughts swimming in his head where true, but why did he still feel uneasy? All of his life he had worked hard, treated others with respect and when needed, made time for God. He had always thought that was enough, but now as his life was slowing coming to an end, he just wasn’t so sure.
Damien moved in closer until his lips were almost touching Benjamin’s ear. Ever so gently, with as much conviction as he could muster he whispered, “I’ve done well for myself, I’ve lived a good life. God is happy with me, I don’t need to read this Bible to know that! Besides, I’m getting tired and need to rest. I can worry about all this tomorrow, after I sleep on it.”
Benjamin’s eyes snapped open! His mother’s words from a long time ago suddenly came to him.
“Never believe everything you here, Benny. Make sure you check things out for yourself before you sign on the dotted line. You have to be shrewd in this world or you just may sign your life away!”
The last sentence echoed in his mind…..sign your life away, sign your life away.
Benjamin knew then that if he didn’t check out the Bible for himself, just to make sure, he may very well be signing his life away!
He reached over and turned on the lamp beside his chair. He found the page that his neighbor had placed the book mark in and for the first time, read and received the hope and peace that only Jesus could offer.
Damien fell off the side of the chair with a thud and struggled to catch his breath. This had never happened to him before! He had never lost a soul, not even once! All the other disgusting humans he had dealt with were always so easy, so willing to believe the words he whispered! None of them took the time to see what God had to say, they were comfortable and prideful, not wanting to give up control.
What would his superior say?

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