Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: PURE (09/06/24)
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TITLE: Honored | Previous Challenge Entry
By Timothy McCollum
09/08/24 -
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“Yep! He’s a good man,” my cousin said.
“He’s more than a man. As you get older and study the Word, you’ll find out for yourself. Just keep this in mind boys, if you wait to lay with a woman until you’re married, you’ll get to see God! ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.’ (Matthew 5:8)”
Years passed.
I played numerous sports, making my physique lean and toned. Many girls were attracted to me and my ability to flip a skateboard around and land back on it.
Several of these girls tried to ‘wed’ me.
I knew what I wanted. I wanted to see God. So, I told those girls, “No.”
Denying them led to regrets, but I’m happy about it now. Most of them were very pretty. But my heart stayed set on a goal, and I was not letting off.
Yet, year after year, I would continue to wait and wait…and wait.
When I was 23, I had an opportunity to spend time with a beautiful woman. I did so, and finally lost my innocence. That was the first sexual regret I ever had. Luckily, I only have two others like it in my whole life.
Later, the world was shutting down from a catastrophic virus. Studying my Bible kept me sane, away from the news.
During this time, I read more on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Learning that Matthew 5:8 didn’t just refer to virgins, I heard it’s more of a change of heart once a person receives Jesus as Lord and Savior.
Though I had fallen from the unstained, tenacious goal I once cherished as a boy, I knew that my hopes of seeing the Lord were still possible.
“Dad,” I prayed, “please, come hangout with me. I know my apartment isn’t the biggest. It’s not the nicest this world can offer You. But I will give You what I got.”
He answered, “No.”
Still, I held out hope.
Studying the epistles, I found more evidence that God will visit those who treasure His Word. I grew and asked Him to prune me every time I read.
Weeks had passed. The pandemic raged. I wasn’t doing well mentally, but I knew the Creator of the universe would protect me.
Once more, I asked, “Dad, come visit me! I would love to show You around my city. There are so many people I want You to meet. You can change their lives for the better with a simple gesture of power.”
At last, He said, “I will come see you, My son.”
Lifting my hands as high as they would go, I yelled in that tiny apartment, “Thank You, Daddy! Glory to You!”
Patiently I waited, studying His word every day, multiple stretches a day sometimes.
I pried, “Can I see You today, Daddy?”
“Patience…” He replied.
So, patient I stayed. I had enough practice waiting. This was the moment I’d been hoping for all my life. Now, it’s just a matter of time.
One night, I was having a dream of carrying my skateboard on a mountain. I was searching for a skatepark, which is one of my favorite dreams, I can do anything without getting hurt.
Suddenly, I turn to the rockface and just knew that Jesus was on the other side. I don’t remember if I dropped my skateboard or if it simply stopped existing. Immediately, I went running down the mountain. Over rocks, under limbs, sliding left, jumping right, up, down. I ran as fast as I could, until I came out to a beach. Looking around, I saw three men standing right next to the water.
“Hey! Do you guys know where Jesus is,” I shouted.
Gladly, they pointed to my left and said, “He’s just on that plateau.”
I observed a ledge about teen feet up that had a ramp going into the water. I remember pulling my phone out of my pocket before jumping in. I had a fear of deep water, but not in this dream.
Shimmying to the bottom of the ramp, I ran up, soaking wet, and saw Him. He was lying on the perfectly flat top watching the water roll.
I can’t remember everything, but it was totally worth the wait!
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