Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: SHIFT (05/27/21)
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TITLE: God Can Change Anyone? A monologue by Junia, relative of the Apostle Paul | Previous Challenge Entry
By Laurie Kiel
06/03/21 -
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(OFFSTAGE NARRATOR VOICE) Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me." Romans 16:7
(JUNIA addresses audience) I see you there. I see your tearstained face. I can imagine the wet marks that your face leaves on your pillow at night and the tracks across your bedroom floor as you pace every night, having imaginary arguments with your straying loved one, and praying that your loved one would somehow come to the Lord. How well I know you for I used to see that same tearstained face in my mirror.
In the privacy of my room, I would deliver passionate speeches to Saul, trying to bring him to his senses, trying to bring him to the Lord. I never had the courage to actually deliver those speeches to his face.
Let me share with you one of my anguished orations (SHE STEPS TO THE SIDE OF THE STAGE)
"Saul, Saul, Saul. what's happened to you? You were such a good little boy. But your religion has driven the love out of your heart. Open your eyes, you've become so blind. You keep praying that Jehovah would finally send his Messiah and yet you don't see Him when he finally arrives.
I always admired you so much. I was so proud of you. If only I had been born a man, I would have been just like you, Saul. A Pharisee in our family? What an honor. You were my hero.
At least you were until I found another hero, a better hero. The first time I heard Jesus speak, my spirit within told me “He is the one! He is the Messiah.” So I followed Him everywhere with the rest of His women followers. But I didn’t have the courage to tell you, Saul. How could I? You would have been furious.
My pride in you turned to shame. I hoped none of my fellow believers knew I was related to you, their persecutor. And I certainly prayed you would never find out that I was now a Christ follower. Would you have hesitated to turn me in? I knew your religious zeal wouldn’t allow you to do anything else.”
(ADDRESSES AUDIENCE AGAIN) So I never gave that speech to Saul but night after night, I prayed to Jesus. “Lord, it seems so impossible, but please open the blinded eyes of Saul. He is so passionate for Jehovah, but in such a misguided way. He would be a wonderful warrior for you if he only saw the light. Mother always said God can change anyone. It seems impossible. It would take a miracle. But I have seen your miracles. “
And unbelievable-- as impossible as it had seemed, God parted the red sea of Saul’s defenses. And he’s become the warrior for Jesus I always knew he could be. And he’s my hero again. Right after Jesus of course.
So don't give up on your loved one. "God can change anyone?" you ask with doubt in your voice. Be sure of this. God changed Saul to Paul, He can change anyone.
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