Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Pros and Cons (08/14/14)
-
TITLE: Names | Previous Challenge Entry
By Gary Ritter
08/15/14 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
The famine is taking its toll. People dying in the streets, falling ill, prey to disease and affliction. My brother is suffering. There are few doctors. I find one and coerce him to examine Matthew. Incurable, he says. Nothing he can do. I have to do something, for him, for me.
I go to the government building, the Office of Societal Welfare. Inside sit rows of hopeless citizens. We all wait for a handout. When it’s my turn after many hours I tell the clerk my plight. “You’ll do anything?” he says. “Yes, anything,” I reply.
He takes me to a private office and leaves me with a man whose eyes reflect nothing: intense, soulless. “I can help, but you must help us.” I readily agree. As down payment, he gives me a precious food voucher. “Medical, for your brother, comes after your first delivery.”
I know where some meet. They think they’re so smart gathering “underground.” For someone with purpose, such as myself, it isn’t hard to find them.
They let me in to one of their gatherings. They’re so trusting. I say, “I’m broken, needy, seeking.”
Never having attended one of these meetings, I have no idea what they do. It doesn’t matter. I’ve measured the pros and cons. I’ll risk everything to complete my task. To eat again. To save Matthew.
We sit on mats over bare concrete. When they rise I stand. When they sing, I mouth words that confuse me. A man talks, warning of judgment, yet telling of goodness. He speaks of one called Jesus. “He is our king, the one we obey – not the government. Our obedience to him results in righteousness. That is our joy. The authorities of this world cannot bring you peace or happiness. They can’t deliver you from death. Seek the Lord.”
One follower gives me her name after the service. I need more. It’s what the soulless man desires. I know his intent. These are outlaws, Christians. They undermine our rulers. They must be destroyed.
The next service I bring my brother. He is my means of gaining greater access. We’re in the middle of worship. The leader holds up his hands. He says, “The Holy Spirit wants to heal tonight.”
My brother is weak; I brought him in a wheelchair. His illness has decimated him. He stands, unsteady. I think he will fall.
The leader beckons him forward. I’m reach out to stop him. He brushes away my hand. His shuffles toward the man, stooped, a wretched figure. Why would they embarrass him like this? It’s pathetic. My anger grows.
Silence encompasses us; the only sound is Matthew’s labored breathing.
The man places his hand on Matthew’s forehead. He prays. Then, as if struck by a sledgehammer, Matthew crumples. I run to him, crying, “What have you done?”
Minutes pass. He’s unresponsive. “You’ve killed him!”
I glare at the leader, to further berate him in my misery. There’s movement at my feet. My brother’s alive!
Before I can move, he bounces to his feet. Wait, he can’t do that. He’s too sick. His face glows. His frail body looks as if it’s grown strong. What? He dances, waves his arms. What is this coming from his lips? Praise for God. I don’t understand.
Matthew is healed. He leaves his wheelchair behind. On the street he hoists me up on his shoulders like he used to. I’m confounded. More people this evening gave me their names. One woman invited us to her house. I have enough information, but what should I do?
Matthew no longer needs the medical voucher, although we still have no food. I will barter for that.
I return to the man with no soul. “What do you have for me?” The names are written on paper in my pocket, including my brother’s.
Not only has Matthew received new physical life; he has something more. It’s not something I doubt. It’s evident through his words and actions. He’s truly alive in his spirit.
I want that. Can I surrender my needs to that which is greater? The food voucher this man gave me has long since been used. I’m so hungry. I never thought it would happen to me. My fingers touch the paper in my pocket.
My hand comes out empty.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
God bless~
Good writing and good approach to the topic.
God bless~