Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Transparent: Invisible, or obvious (11/27/25)
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TITLE: Surrounded | Previous Challenge Entry
By Jack Taylor
12/02/25 -
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The reason for his restlessness wasn’t obvious as Ethan stepped into the dusty light breaking over Dothan. The creeping dawn softened the edges of the stone houses and painted the hills with muted gold. He snugged his cloak tighter against the crisp chill, snatched up a pail, and turned toward the well. Breath misted, and all seemed still. A donkey brayed, a woman’s broom scratched across her rooftop, the first whispered greetings of the butcher and baker passing elicited a nod.
He filled the pail, set it by the door, and climbed the steps to the rampart. He focused on the hills and froze. A forest of Aramean horses sprouted on the crests, snorting clouds, hooves shifting the dust, supporting warriors armed with spears and standing like statues.
His knees buckled. His heart thudded so loudly he feared the soldiers would hear it. Stumbling downstairs, he burst through the door. Elisha sat calmly on his mat, impossibly calm. It was apparent he had no clue as to the danger they were in.
“Shalom, Ethan,” the prophet said. “What troubles you?”
“Master,” Ethan whispered. “They found us. We need to run. There’s an army on the hills.”
Elisha rose and placed a hand on his servant’s shoulder. “Is that all your eyes perceived? An enemy?” He snatched up his cloak. “Come, see what you can’t see.”
Shame, fear, terror. It all tightened Ethan’s throat. He pointed toward the hills. “See! We are surrounded.”
Armor glinted. Horses stamped. A commander barked orders and the ranks tightened.
“Don’t be afraid,” Elisha said. “Those who are with us are more than those against us.”
Ethan fell to his knees. “Don’t you see? Those are thousands of Arameans. They have horses, swords, spears. We are only two with no weapons of any kind.”
Elisha sighed, then looked toward the heavens. “Lord, open his eyes to see.”
What was transparent was no longer transparent. The servant inhaled sharply as the world ignited with molten fire, lightning, and gold. Shapes emerged, towering, magnificent, neither dust nor shadow. Otherworldly. Horses snorting flames. Chariots burning with fire. Warriors in ranks beyond counting. Armor shimmering as though forged in the heart of a star. Eyes blazing with purpose.
At the word of a prophet, blind eyes opened, and open eyes were blinded. What was transparent became obvious. Faith swallowed fear. Courage and hope took up armor and stood their ground.
In 1953, at the Rift Valley Academy, the darkness masked the band of Mau Mau warriors surrounding our school. We knew they were out there. Other missionaries and British nationals had already been killed after the blood oaths taken. We were next. And yet, they never attacked.
Years later, one of the warriors converted to Jesus and explained what had happened. We couldn’t attack, he said. The whole campus was surrounded by a hundred fully armed guards protecting you. They never slept or left a gap for us to exploit. We knew we couldn’t succeed. In reality, I knew there were only three of us missionaries standing guard over the children.
Yesterday, my missionary friend from Pakistan related a similar story from her school where attackers stopped their attack due to fully armed warriors surrounding their place. The obvious is not always evident to those of us stumbling through life.
At a men’s prayer time this morning, an old friend described how seven white-robed figures surrounded his hospital bed as he underwent cancer surgery. It was a moment of profound faith for him. Today, he found out he was cancer-free. Was it a dream, a vision, or something more?
Once in a while, the veil of eternity is inched open. Sometimes, the hosts of the Almighty glisten in the glory of a choir singing peace to shepherds on a hill in Bethlehem. Sometimes they snatch up their armor and rally to protect the vulnerable.
And many days, they appear quietly and influentially in hospital wards, at near-fatal traffic incidents, or near the tears of an orphan, a widow, or a refugee. A niggle in our spirit may leave us wondering if we were visited. It may not be transparent when the veil is pulled back. Our eyes may not see at the moment.
But later, as reality unfolds in our spirit. We see. So we entertain strangers unawares. One day, all will be transparent and clear.
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