Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: SHIFT (05/27/21)
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TITLE: Ancient Charades | Previous Challenge Entry
By Corinne Smelker
06/02/21 -
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I clocked in and changed into my work gear. There are strict rules about what can and cannot be worn – for safety reasons more than anything. One of my work mates checked that everything was on properly and met the rigorous standards set by the boss.
Some jobs were allocated to specific people, others were assigned by common consent or vote. Lucky me, I pulled the short straw. There was some light joshing and laughter as my co-workers helped me prep the items needed.
When I pulled back the drapery the redolent smell of incense pervaded my nostrils. I drew in a deep breath, and exhaled a prayer, “God. I plead for my wife and myself. Make us parents.”
It was a prayer I had offered many, many times before.
I lit a new bowl of incense to replace the one that was almost burnt out. A movement in the shadows almost caused me to flee; no one else was meant to be here!
“Zachariah.”
“Who are you? What are you doing here? How do you know my name?” The questions came tumbling out, but then my brain caught up with my mouth, and finally my body received the clear message, “RUN!”
I was about to make a dash for the entrance when an angel, an actual angel, moved next to the altar. My body gave up and I cowered, in fear and terror.
“Zachariah. Don’t fear. Your prayer has been heard. Elizabeth will have a son and you are to name him John.”
Why I uttered the next words, I will never know, although I have had months to analyze it. I mean, this was an angel, a real messenger of God, who stood in front of me. I chalk it up to my mouth not consulting my brain before opening. “Do you expect me to believe this? I’m old and so is Elizabeth…” Oooh boy. I immediately knew I had said the wrong thing.
The angel looked right at me and replied, “I am Gabriel, the messenger of God, sent especially to bring you this glad news. But because you won’t believe me, you’ll be unable to say a word until the day of your son’s birth. Every word I’ve spoken to you will come true on time—God’s time.”
I bowed my head, in shame, in awe and in reverence, but when I ventured to look up, he was gone. I dropped the incense and bolted out of the sanctuary. My coworkers were just about to send a search party I’d been gone so long.
“Are you all right?” James asked.
I opened my mouth, but nothing emerged.
“Zach? What’s wrong?” James’ voice conveyed concern.
I shook my head, and then pantomimed what I had just experienced. I could tell they thought I’d gone mad. Hey, if I hadn’t seen the angel myself, I would think I was crazy too. It didn’t matter how many times I opened my mouth and tried to speak, my vocal chords seized up.
Hmmm, what should a husband who can’t talk give his wife as a ‘Hey guess what, you’re pregnant but you don’t know it yet’ gift? Better brush up on my charade skills…
Luke 1:8 (MSG) It so happened that as Zachariah was carrying out his priestly duties before God, working the shift assigned to his regiment, it came his one turn in life to enter the sanctuary of God and burn incense.
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