Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: BUSY (08/15/19)
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TITLE: The Road Ahead | Previous Challenge Entry
By Graham Insley
08/22/19 -
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“For heaven’s sake, slow down,” Nora admonished. ‘You’ll spill coffee everywhere or end up breaking something.”
“It’s okay for you,” Tony snapped back. “Today of all days I slept through the alarm and have a heap to do.”
Nora was getting used to a mad morning rush, but also getting fed up with it. Mornings, as far as she was concerned, were times to reflect, breathe deeply and organise the day. Not race around half-cocked and too busy to contemplate the wonders that lay ahead in another God given restart. Tony didn’t see it that way. He spoke of Christianity using the right words, but his actions spoke loudly of another belief system. One filled with his own busyness and effort. They had been married two years now, and she felt as if it was past time for her to speak out. She couldn’t do this morning rush any longer.
“For goodness sake, what’s all the panic about?”
“Three first time court appearances. One for car theft, one for holding up a liquor store and one small time drug dealer. I haven’t read their briefs yet and their all scheduled for this morning. I tell you, being public defender sucks.”
“Have you talked to Jesus about all this?”
Pulling some toast out and throwing butter around, little of which landed on the toast, Tony’s face exposed his reply before the words even left his lips. “No! It’s my skills that will save the day. Besides they are probably all guilty and deserve what they get. I’m not going to waste His or my time over them.”
“I thought it was innocent until proven guilty. And don’t even the worst of them deserve His help?”
Tony looked at Nora as if it was her that needed help. “Don’t be silly woman, these guys don’t deserve to get off, and even if they do get away with it, they’ll most likely just go out and do it again. And again, over and over, until the law finally puts them away.”
“Look,” Nora looked as uncomfortable as a deer approaching a lion. “I thought Jesus came for the lost, don’t they need Him more than the already saved? How much more could you help them if you were surrendered to Him?”
“What’s this, Sunday church now? I don’t need your homilies today or on Sundays.”
“Tony, these guys have probably never even held a Bible, let alone read one. You can be an example to them, help them. Besides, some time out for prayer might even help you.”
Wolfing down the last of his toast and coffee, the local public defender grabbed his briefcase and headed for the front door. As he pushed the button on his car keys that unlocked his Jaguar, he shot a final rejoinder at his wife. “Who’s got time for prayer. God knows what I want to say anyway. See you tonight.”
With that, and too angry for a goodbye kiss, he was into his sleek automobile and smoothly headed towards the courthouse. But with temperature raised, increased blood pressure and a nagging headache, he was far from happy. Nora was right and he knew it. Since taking this new job, Jesus had taken a back seat. If he could combine his faith and work, wouldn’t they all benefit from it? He could try.
Seeing a layby on the side of the road, he slid the car to a halt and reached for the Bible that sat in the glove box from one Sunday to the next. He opened it at his favourite verse, Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans that I have in mind for you,” declares Adonai, “plans for shalom and not calamity—to give you a future and a hope.”
That’s not only plans for me, Tony’s thoughts were working overtime, but plans for every accused person. Nora’s right, as usual. These guys need Jesus just as much as I do. Time to start living as if I really believe that.
Tony sent a prayer skyward; the first for quite some time. His vision seemed to get clearer. I’m going to talk to every client about Jesus, and that’s whether they like it or not. And tonight, I’m going to share these thoughts with Nora. Maybe we can start praying for these kids as a team.
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