Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Abiding in His Love 8/27-9/3/26 (08/27/26)
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TITLE: Everything Changed | Previous Challenge Entry
By Jack Taylor
09/01/26 -
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In the silence, the voices grew louder, whispering as Mary whimpered. Accusations and mocking thundered like waterfalls over her pleas for mercy. They strangled her prayers, unleashing screams erupting in volcanic fury from her own lips, her throat burning and frightening the staring crowds away.
Mothers snatched children into their arms as she tore at her hair and whirled in panic. Men scampered across the dirt paths as she hissed and spat in their direction. Even the religious elite gave her a wide berth and hurled curses toward her. She was unloved, unwanted, unclean, dangerous, hopeless, an outcast, cursed, and alone.
Then Jesus came.
There was no explanation when he crouched, looked into her eyes, and reached for her hand. His voice was firm, calm, soothing, unhurried, unafraid. One moment she was breathless, swept under, drowning in fear. The next moment she was grasped by the hand, pulled into life, gulping in breath and hope.
Mary lay trembling in the dust, hands twitching, mind grasping for something, preparing to be slammed by vitriol and venom. But there was nothing inside her head apart from her own thoughts. Tears slid down her cheeks as she furrowed her brow and clenched her jaw. What had happened?
Jesus extended his hand. “Mary.”
Invisible warmth like sun rays swirled through her limbs, brushing her heart, lifting her soul, clearing her mind. Her eyes focused on the first pure smile she had seen in years. On the first gracious look of pure love. There was no pity, no obligation, no demands, no carnal desire.
Following a love shared by thousands, stumbling, fumbling, learning to look past the glances, ignore the whispers, and reframe the thoughts, still waiting for the old voices to emerge again. Dusty roads, crowded villages, mind-numbing wonders and teaching. Learning his ways with children, widows, women of the street, the unwanted, the shadows on the fringe, the wealthy, the pious, the powerful, and the confused.
Being loved formed a core to her backbone. A humble courage pushed her past the doubts and stares. “I am loved,” she whispered. “I am loved,” she sang. “I am loved,” she prayed.
Oh, the triggers still loomed around her. Dark caverns where unholy things writhed and violated the pure. Chilling caves where haunting rituals left their marks and scars. Lustful faces wanting tastes of the past.” But abiding love anchored her, keeping her feet steady, her hands busy, and her love enlarging.
Yes, shame tugged at her mind, guilt snuggled up to her heart, and fear wrestled for recognition. “I am loved,” she whispered. “I am loved.”
Then came the darkest moments of them all. Betrayal, suffering, death. The whip, the blood, the thorns, the nails. They filled her dreams. The object of her love was gone. Who would protect her in the shadows? How would she thrive without direction and hope? Whose words would feed her spirit?
Agonizing cries. Endless flies. Gambling soldiers. Mocking priests. A weeping mother. Darkness. Trembling. Terrified crowds. A removing. An anointing. A wrapping. A stumbling toward a new carved tomb. Tears. Farewells. The death of love.
Sleepless nights passed like an eternity. The new silence had been freedom. Now it was absence. Yet, the pull that third morning was strong. How would love revive, survive? Something real had died. “I am loved,” withered on her lips.
The garden bloomed with fresh energy as the first fingers of dawn crawled over the hills. Dewy grasses kissed her sandaled feet. Other voices arrived, other soles padded the path, the aroma of spices floating on the breeze.
The stone had moved. The angels declared strange truth. The others ran. She hovered, tears flowing.
“Why the tears?”
“If you’ve taken him, tell me where you put him.”
“Mary!”
The shiver of love had the power of a river, snatching her sorrows, fears, and loss. She knew that voice. That gracious whisper of love. That pronouncement of her name. Her breath stopped, her gut twisted, her eyes opened wide. Twirling in the dancing motes of dawn, she fell before him. “Rabboni.”
Love lived. Love breathed. Love abided. Love loved.
“Go, tell the others.”
Everything pulled her to stay, to hang on, to embrace love and never let it go. But love called her to go. Love had reached into her darkness and brought light. Love had shattered the demons' power and set her free. Now, abiding love called her to trust and go.
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