On a rainy Thursday morning, Father comes to Gabriel's house. They go to the prison to visit Ethan.
Ethan pleaded guilty to every charge laid against him and asked for no lawyer. His parents got to know of what he did, and his mother nearly died but was revived from a heart attack.
No one wants to be seen around him and he's really scared of being executed for murder.
Gabriel and Father get to the prison and Ethan is brought out to meet "these people" that have come to see him. He thought of everyone possible as he walked to the visitors’ room but met the shock of his life.
Ethan (shocked): What are you doing here?
Father: Please, sit down
Ethan sits close to Father while Gabriel gives him a cold stare.
Father: We came to see you and know how you are doing
Ethan (uneasy): What? Wait... two of you came to see me? What for? I'm pretty sure you know I admitted my offences and I'm currently waiting to be executed.
Father: Yes, we know
Ethan (stares at Gabriel in anger): So, you have your revenge. What else do you want from me?
Gabriel (stares at Father who nudges him to speak up and in great difficulty…): Yeah, Ethan you are the biggest...
Father: Gabriel!
Gabriel (looks away and continues): You are the biggest challenge I've met in a long time. I thought I have gone through it all but this, this is really greater than anything I've faced in life.
I'm not here to tell you I've forgiven you and all is going to be well or you will not be executed, but I'm here to find peace.
Ethan (confused): Peace? What do you mean?
Gabriel (heaves a sigh): Ethan, please forgive me
Ethan (surprised): No, bro, erm ...
(starts crying) You were the best friend I never appreciated. I was so blinded by my jealousy for you that I didn't know how I got to this extent
Gabriel (with tears rolling down his cheeks): I need you to forgive me for never giving you the one thing you needed to experience true freedom.
I wasted time justifying your weaknesses that I forgot that the only one who can totally wash you clean and give you a meaningful purpose is Jesus
Immediately, Gabriel gets up and kneels before Ethan who can't hold his tears anymore.
Gabriel (in tears): Ethan, please forgive me, please…
Ethan: Bro, please stand up ...
(Gabriel stands up and sits closer to them)
Ethan: You sincerely don't need my forgiveness. You did me no harm, in fact you were the only one who helped me when it seemed like my reputation was under scrutiny by everyone else.
Right now, death isn't even that terrific to me anymore. I feel like I'm so empty inside yet loaded with my own thoughts of condemnation and regrets.
Do you know I have never had peace in my life? I have always felt uncomfortable around you; because, look at you Gabriel, you are a perfect man.
At your young age, you are married to a beauty, rich and industrious. You are one of the top CEO's and in all of these, you still don't mix up with the dirt of the world, times without number you have proven to be a real follower of Christ and not just another pretender.
How could I ever compete with you?
Father: That's the problem my dear brother, life is not a competition. You have your race to run to the finish line, and you alone will give account of all you've done on earth.
Gabriel, is only a mere mortal like you but like he rightfully put, God is all you need to get to the perfection you seek. You can never have true liberty if you are still caged with the desires of the flesh. You need to live beyond the self-given limitations.
If only you knew the why of your stay on earth, his wife Chandice will be no news to you. But we are here to make amends if you permit us.
Ethan: Amends? Sir, what do you mean?
Father: Even though you have missed your way and trode a path to oblivion, you can still change today and walk to the right destination.
I mean, Ethan, do you want to have the peace you have searched for so long?
Ethan: Yes sir
Father: Then, I need you to...
Ethan (interrupts in tears): Yes, I want Jesus in my life even if it's just for a few days before I die
Father (smiles): Then say this prayer with me...
After they have said the sinner's prayer, a relieved but teary Ethan surprisingly hugs Father to the awe of other visitors who were witnessing the whole scene.
Gabriel and Ethan hug and weep on each other's shoulder and the prison warden comes back with some guards and asks the two men to leave, since they are the reason for so much noise in the room.
Ethan (shouts as they leave): Thank you! God bless you!
That was the last time Gabriel and Father saw Ethan. A few months later, he was executed but before this, he wrote a letter specifically to Chandice wishing her well and asking for her forgiveness.
While reading the letter, Chandice couldn't stop crying as it dawned on her that a little carelessness, a little deceit, could bring the end of not just friendships, but also destinies.
Gabriel (comforts his wife): We should not be so sad about this, let's thank God for accepting him back to His bosom.
Chandice (still crying): You really think so?
Gabriel: I know so
Chandice: Thank you for obeying the Lord
Gabriel (smiles): No, my dear, thank you for never giving up on us
They kiss and hug each other.
At the same time, Father and Mother are discussing the tragic execution of Ethan
Father: I must confess though that this particular case was beyond us. I didn't think God will use Gabriel to win him over. God is really mysterious
Mother (surprised): Thank God for God....But you handled it with such calmness that I almost thought you have forgotten how dangerous these children of nowadays are
Father (amused): And how are they Madam?
Mother: Well, I guess you've had a taste of it
Father: Oh really?
Mother (laughs): Yes, with a gun next to your forehead, you know how it is
Father (laughs): Oh ok... ha I almost defecated on myself o, that's not funny...
Mother: What if the police didn't arrive on time to save you? What would you have done?
Father: Well, I don't really know. Let's say I thank God they did. And that is enough to rekindle the fire in me for evangelism.
(Looks at mother seductively)
But now I need to rekindle another essential fire...
Mother (giggling): And what fire are you talking about?
Father: Come to the other room. I will show you the light...
Mother, still giggling, follows Father.
....
Be determined to finish the race in harmony to His will
Be uninterested in accepting defeat
Enjoy your walk in Him
And only then can you emerge by His grace, a winner regardless...
END
Title: Beyond me
Author: Susan A. Asamoah
Tel.: +39 320.562.7812
Email: thehourofsuccess@gmail.com
All rights reserved (c) 2019 – The Hour Of Success – Relentless Laughter
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