A Portrait of Tragedy (Chapter 5)

A PORTRAIT OF TRAGEDY

  Chapter 5: Ultimatum

  By

  J. Niessen

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  Published By:

  A Portrait of Tragedy

  Copyright 2013 by J. Niessen

  Cover Page by J’s Art Emporium, Copyright 2013

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  This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously.

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  Chapter 5: Ultimatum

  Lace follows the lead of his angelic guide, who has come in the form of a Border Collie. As the two make the lonely trek to the mountain of shadows, Collie shares a life lesson…

  “So often it seems that by beginning a process, according to His instruction, we could’ve avoided complications. There’s this story of an unemployed man, who dedicates his time to ministering for the church. A generous job offer comes his way. Regretfully he informs the pastor he will no longer be able to serve. The new career he takes leads him away from his established, Christian family. The work hours are all-consuming. His living conditions are lavishly suited, but because of the ever increasing work requirements--his spiritual walk goes into decline. At the end of the day his mental energy is spent, causing him to neglect his usual nightly devotions. Rather than waking early for Morning Prayer, his body feels drained of energy and he oversleeps. His career becomes a domineering and controlling force, overtaking his ability to serve for a greater purpose. Giving servitude to a separate entity, apart from God, is a worldly idol. Very few recognize this or admit to it. Some voluntarily use work as an outlet, to escape life’s pressing responsibilities or overwhelming troubles, rather than looking to our Redeemer for solitude and resolve.”

  The parable Collie has shared awakens a struggle Lace has constantly dealt with. Frequently he falls into pits of doubt. These insecurities attack his faith, dampening his hopes, and persuade him that he is unworthy of service to the Messiah. That someone of greater significance and more devout in their worship, should be the one in his place. It’s a great weakness to bear in the presence of Bell Tower. Collie detects this, and reassures, “In Luke chapter 5 verse 8 Peter says to Jesus, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man.” But Jesus responds in verse 10, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.”

  “You see how our Master takes the lowliest of men, and uses them to do great things? And in doing so His servants are justly honored and rewarded.

  “Don’t you miss His presence?” Collie pauses, and inquisitively looks up to Lace with homesick eyes. Confirming they hold shared feelings, they continue their walk. Collie admits “Being here is discouraging, as I wonder what will become of our brethren. Oh, how my heart aches to be in the Master’s presence. I miss the comfort of serving in Heaven, and that special moment when He offers expressed praise. When you are the center of His focus”

  Lace reflects on his own shortcomings…

  By staying true to God’s plan, he could have better served. This has been a mission Lace chose to set out on. If he had remained at New Metropolis, he would still have Amadeus by his side. Now, if things end up horribly wrong, Lace knows he only has himself to blame. How could he question God for not interceding, if He were to remain idle and allow Lace to die, when it’s been Lace’s own choice to endeavor on this mission? Lace considers how others throughout history have died…while walking apart from God.

  Lace keeps a brass key, looped through with a chain, around his neck. The metal glows as a reminder that God offers each of us our own personal key into Heaven.

  Collie inquires, through thought, in an attempt to strengthen Lace’s convictions, “Would you mind sharing the significance of that glowing object?” Memory of Lace’s training kicks in.

  “I was blessed with this on my day of graduation. In training I learned how to conduct myself on missions. I’ve strayed from these important teachings. It has never been my duty to be an executioner. This key is a keepsake, signifying that we are to go out into the world and convey our love to all of mankind, even our enemies. This will reflect the love of Jesus…and hopefully lead to save them.” Lace ponders this for a moment, and then Collie reassures:

  “Our Master says they will know us by our love and good works. Sometimes we fail to be an example, making mistakes affected by sin. It’s important to recognize that the mistakes we’ve made can be redeemed by the love of our Savior, as He is the expressed heart of God.”

  “Thank you for your words of encouragement,” Lace tells Collie. Reminded of Biblical example, Lace shares, “John 14 is an excellent chapter that comes to mind. Still it’s difficult to fathom what Jesus teaches in verses 12-14, saying we have the potential to do miraculous works through Jesus, if we believe in Him, and seek to glorify the Father.”

  This reminds Lace of those who doubt the power of Jesus.

  Through numerous mission trips, having ministered to confused individuals, Lace uses the parable of “The Sower” to assess which ground those transgressors (listening to his message) relate to. Lace goes on to explain to Collie in thought, “When you talk to unbelievers, deep down you’ll find they acknowledge there is a God, and recognize that eternal damnation is evident. What separates them from those who are concerned about their greater safely, is that they don’t want to be troubled by the specifics involved. The only trepidation of theirs is that their life will become disrupted. They’ve allowed themselves to come under a spell, one which blinds them from acknowledging the truths of salvation. It’s sad to see this bitter selfishness.”

  Reaching the end of their journey, nothing could have prepared Lace for what he confronts at the Mountain of Shadows.

  There he witnesses is a massive construction, built from the surrounding landscape. The sight of a once-large civilization, stripped to accommodate the structure of this living rival.

  Earthy-red in color; Bell Tower is larger than any surrounding mountain. At the center of its chest glows the core of a star. Three sparks, taken from the missing angels, approach the radiant globe. The doctor directs their flight, standing on the palm of Bell Tower’s lifted hand. A separate orb floats toward the onlooking trio. Resting on the ground is Lace’s missing device. A deep and grumbling message comes from Bell Tower. “Leave with what you came for.”

  “How could this be so easy?” Lace wonders, not realizing his acquired confidence (which he and Collie worked to build) is what impedes the doctor’s aspirations to lecture. The other angels were talked into believing that their decisions have caused a loss of salvation, and so they willingly gave up their lives, feeling spiritually defeated by the doctor’s convincing tactics.

  Disregarding Collie’s disappointment, Lace bends down to take the item, and then turns to walk back to the distant cabin.

  Returned to his [colleagues], the nausea affecting Lace since losing the locator worsens when finding that…components to the device are damaged. Feeling utterly defeated, Lace requests that the group pray for the situation. In that time of p
rayer one angel imparts:

  “Dear Lord, we are reminded by your Word which states in Colossians 3, verses 5 through 8, that we are to put to death evil desires and greed which you see as idolatry. And to rid ourselves of such things as anger, rage, and malice, all of which go through our thoughts in the wake of our brethren being taken from us. Bless us with a heart that is forgiving, and let your vengeance shine to those capable of handling these matters.”

  There is a knock on the door. Standing outside is the doctor. Shocked by his arrival, Lace invites him in. “I will have you know,” the doctor begins, “I did not rob you of your fellow travelers. They gave themselves freely.” It’s sickening to accept the words from this fellow man. “The best option is for you to find Lord Christophe,” he instructs. “I have arranged for you a speedy means of transportation. Receive it in gratitude, for their sacrifice.”

  Helming a magnetically propelled vehicle, Lace and his group fly to Veigh Van Canopy.

  The township is located on a massive piece of earth, hovering above the clouds.

  Christophe is elegantly dressed in a sky-blue silk robe. His all white hair is wondrously styled, the length long enough