Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: GREED (avarice, particularly for wealth and things) (01/22/15)
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TITLE: A Tale of Too Late | Previous Challenge Entry
By Dot Hannah
01/28/15 -
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January 27, 2015
His stunning greed accomplished pleasure so briefly, as he lived a mere sixty eight years. If only he could have perceived how fleeting time was, a handbreadth. It had cost him far more than it benefited him. Somewhere along the line, he let the wall of protection down, and an astounding avalanche of deceit poured in. Lying on his death bed, a tragic figure, he could only regret the well intentioned but wasted years of pursuing his career and money. Yes, he obtained success and prosperity but was not at all happy. His greed and emphasis on the world’s view of things came at a high cost.
As he lay dying, he allowed his mind to travel back with a big picture view to a cherished time and place. He could see two beautiful children giggling and playing, his little son and daughter. When had they grown up? Where had all the time gone? They were just babies when he first encountered God. He was awakened to his need and had given his life to Him. Just remembering the joy and peace brought the emotion back, like a fresh wind blowing, and he choked up for a minute.
He remembered that as time went by, he began to become more and more dispassionate about his commitment, resulting in less priority on his relationship with his family and God. The jaded truth for him had scandalously become the cash value of his bank account. He and his wife began to quarrel constantly, both becoming discontented and bitter. The children were viciously affected. His fellowship and intimacy with God ceased, and the enemy came in like a roaring lion, stealing his most precious possessions. By now, his disdain and ignorance for truth had blinded him and dimmed all hope of a
turnaround.
Outside the vigilant protection of his greatest Friend, everyday offered up a new test. From this point on, his descent moved forward in ways he could have never suspected. His burdens were overwhelming. Divorced, alone, and realizing he was responsible for the collapse of his bewildered children’s world, he still forged ahead, certain he would be happy again. He never was. A drowning man, he slipped and fell into despair and never recovered.
How he wished he could go back. He reasoned that if he could, he would have saddled up his horse and denied self, that is, avoided the detour on the road which had devoured him. Too late he had realized his quest for greed was not the genie drifting out of the bottle he expected. He had been captivated by a deadly myth that the pleasure of money and things outweighed all else. His greatest regret was that his children had been greatly influenced by his actions. How he hoped God would place them in a posture to rest in His provision, rather than the dissatisfaction of greed. He was a broken man, tortured on the inside, acknowledging his mad quest for more had destroyed his life.
He soberly cried out to Christ, and immediately experienced tranquil peace in the midst of his tears of anguish. It was too late to right his wrongs but not too late to confess and ask for forgiveness. He was empowered to pen a letter to his children before he died, praying his words would ripen a seed for change in them. He asked them to beware of greed and urged them to make an all out commitment of their lives and energies to Christ. Sadly, he never knew if it was too late, for he did not live to see their reaction.
“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” (1Timothy 6:10) KJV
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The number of individuals who actually repent of choosing the broad way is unknown but probably very small.
Hope should not be given to any of us who might me thinking of turning towards the broad way.
By changing the ending to encourage us not to start in that direction or repent before the whole life is failure would be more beneficial to the many who are being squeeze into the mold of the world right now.
We need writers willing and able to speak to those being caught up in the ways of this world.