Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Board - Bored (01/12/23)
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TITLE: Akiva | Previous Challenge Entry
By Sharon Nickerson
01/19/23 -
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As it rocked starboard and port, the nearly 300 men hunkering below the weather deck had given up the fight. Even the prisoner, Akiva, at six feet three inches tall, chained to a post with other prisoners, could not control the nausea. These fools wasted their time and their lives, he thought. We're all dead now. Good. At least these fool soldiers will die with me.
“Akiva!” shouted Julius as he shivered from the wet and cold. He was the centurion appointed this doomed mission of bringing the prisoners to Rome. He knew Akiva was a dangerous murderer but could see a crack in the hardened man's spirit now. Julius held onto the pole as he unchained Akiva. “Sit near Paul as he prays.” Julius trusted Paul.
Akiva was starving like the other men sitting and lying around him. He managed to pull himself up as the ship rocked, and slowly made his way toward Paul, stepping over sick and exhausted men. Paul was sitting, unchained, with his back against a pole, knees up and head bowed. Akiva liked this guy. Something about him. He did not agree with everything the “mucky-mucks” told him. Didn't even agree to sail in this storm.
As Akiva slumped down near Paul, Paul looked up at him, patted Akiva's large shoulder, and stood up to give Akiva his place. Then Paul, hanging onto the pole, called out to everyone, “Men, you should have listened to me and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss,” (Acts 27:21NKJV). Akiva and all the men listened to Paul speak of an angel of God who stood by him, telling him he would stand before Caesar and that no one would die that was with him on the ship. But the ship would be a total loss.
Wow, thought Akiva. Well, I can't swim. Never could. Looks like I never will. If this guy Paul is right about the ship, I'm goin' down now. Oh, well. Didn't want to spend years in prison, bored to tears, waiting for death.
Just as Paul had said, eventually the ship was driven toward an island. The sailors fought to aim the ship toward the bay of the island and run it aground. Akiva watched as the men scrambled to positions. Some even tried to escape on a skiff. The soldiers cut it loose as Paul warned them about staying in the ship. They oughta make this guy Paul the captain, Akiva thought with a chuckle.
Suddenly the ship lurched forward as the prow stuck in high sands under water. It was as if a giant hand rammed the ship in place and there was no moving it. The stern raised in the air, throwing every man toward the prow. Violent waves pummeled the stern of the ship, breaking apart the weakened boards. She was going down.
Akiva awaited his execution. The soldiers attempted to kill the prisoners as everyone prepared to abandon ship, but Julius looked at Paul. “All swimmers jump overboard and swim for your lives to the island. All others, grab something wooden on the ship, hang onto it and kick your lives! Aim for the beach!” cried Julius.
Akiva grabbed an old wooden bench and heaved it over the side. Just then the ship almost cracked in half and he was thrown overboard. He held his breath as he hit the water and furiously kicked his feet and waived his arms in uncoordinated motions. He did not rise. For a moment, he thought of Paul's God when a board suddenly rose from beneath and bonked him in the back of the head. He turned, grabbed hold, and was brought to the surface.
Coughing up water, he rode above the waves while hanging onto the board and started kicking his feet. Waves continued washing over his head yet he felt a peace. He aimed for the bay where the water was calmer. Paul was right, thought Akiva. His God is true. And more than that, He just saved a terrible sinner like me.
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