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 "Every Dark Cloud has a Silver Lining" (without using the actual phrase or literal example). (02/28/08)
The young man placed his arm around the shoulders of the older woman, gently maneuvering her away from the scene of the execution and down the hill. Even as they tried to find their footing, the earth beneath them shook with ferocious anger, and an unnatural darkness engulfed them. This was no ordinary storm. It was as if every vestige of good had been removed from the globe, leaving unspeakable evil to surround, oppress and taunt them. John felt he would suffocate on the turbid air. Every attempt at a breath left him gasping.

Glancing at the woman at his side, he wondered how he would be able to help her through this. He was, after all, the youngest of the disciples. Why had Jesus asked him to care for His mother? Peter was the oldest. Why not him? What about Mary’s sons? Shouldn’t they be responsible for their mother? How could he do this? Despair reached its tentacles around his heart, shutting down any hope as effectively as this darkness prevented them from finding their way without stumbling.

Over the next two days, John found that the darkness of despair in his heart was much more difficult to dissipate than the physical darkness outside. He sulked inside, worrying about what was to happen. They would have to leave Jerusalem soon, and return to Galilee. It was really all over. He would have to go back to fishing. For a short time he thought his life might count for something more, but now it had come to a halt with an execution. And he had a new family member to provide for. How could Mary remain so calm when he felt nothing but turmoil?

He had heard Mary talking with Mary Magdalene and the other women, but he was too engrossed in his own depression to wonder how they were going to accomplish their purpose. Early on the morning of the third day, Mary explained the women were going to the tomb to anoint the body of her beloved Son. She was already gone before it occurred to him he should go in case they needed help – there was a stone sealing the tomb shut, after all. How would the women move the stone? He headed down the path, meeting Peter along the way.

As soon as he stepped into the morning air, John knew this day was different. The air was charged with something. Could it be victory? Mary Magdalene met them, coming away from the tomb. John had never seen her in such a condition. She had obviously run all the way, and was gasping for air.

“They …. Told…. Me….tell …..you……go …..to….tomb…..He …..is……RISEN!”

Not quite understanding, John looked at Peter and the two men took off. John flew up the path, beating Peter to the tomb because he was younger, faster, and he had just dropped the weight he had been carrying for three days. As he reached the tomb and received the message from the angelic messenger, John threw back his head and laughed from pure joy. He realized what a wonderful gift the Savior had given him.
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 886 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Jan Ackerson
03/06/08
Nice! I always like getting new insight into a Biblical person. Very good writing!

I felt the last sentence or two fizzled just a tad, right when there should be the climax of the story. I wanted just a wee bit more glory, I think.

Perfect for the topic, and for this Easter season.
Karin Beery
03/10/08
Wonderful perspective. I enjoyed a new look at something so familiar.

Watch out for an overuse of "filler" words: to-be verbs, prepositions, etc. They add length to the story, but look for more active words, or for a different arrangement that will allow you to say the same thing without watering it down. It not only helps a story flow, but adds a depth to the writing.

I very much enjoyed the idea of this story. Great work!
Yvonne Blake 
03/11/08
I like writing and thinking about the different characters in Bible stories. You did a good job, putting yourself in John's place.
Good writing, keep it up.