Once, in a moment of thirst, I drank water that wasn’t nearly as clean as I had hoped. At first, it did the job. Although it tasted rather strange, my thirst was gone. But that night, things took a different turn. Instead of drifting into a pleasant dream of green pastures and happy company, I found myself wrestling with stomach pains and strange, shadowy thoughts. The lesson was painfully clear: the water hadn’t been pure.
Foul waters have a way of ruining more than just a good night’s sleep. The same is true when it comes to faith. Sadly, the world seems awash with strange teachings and shiny promises of instant health and happiness. The promises sound sweet at first but leave the soul queasy in the end.
In the next story of the Week, Jonas Appleby learns this lesson firsthand. May his journey bring a smile to your face while strengthening your conviction to pursue a life of true purity in the service of our precious Savior.
Blood on the Sand
By J.K. Stenger
“This is exactly what I need,” Jonas Appleby declared, a contented sigh escaping his lips as he passed the Fortune Clarion to his wife Amy while his finger pointed to the advertisement on page three.
A Word of God and success with Cash Biggins
March 12
One meeting.
One moment.
One decision.
Wealth. Health. Happiness.
All Without effort.
All with God’s blessing.
She shook her head, disgusted. “I don’t buy it. I don’t trust Cash Biggins.”
Jonas stared at his wife Amy, and, with a grunt, said, “You have a way of dampening my spirits like a soggy blanket on a fire. You see a devil lurking beneath every stone, always. That’s not faith; that’s the chilling grip of fear.”
Recognizing his harsh tone, he attempted to soften the impact by adding, “I love you, well … most of the time, but this is one service I will not miss.”
He poured himself a drink and sat back, muttering that Amy just didn’t understand him.
“I need money,” he growled. “Lots of money.” He looked around with a frown on his face while sneering, “Everything in our house is old and second-hand, unlike things at the house of Jack Jones.”
“It’s cozy here,” Amy objected.
“I need happiness,” Jonas kept pushing his point.
“I thought we were happy?” Amy tried.
“Maybe you are,” he sneered. “But I’m not. You’ve got your little quilt club and your Bible studies. But I am a nobody. I need success.” He lifted his hands as if he were a frustrated little boy and added, “You want proof? I have only three Facebook followers: my mother, your mother and Bob Bangles, though I should probably remove him since he died last week.”
Amy pressed her lips together and said in a soft voice, “Isn’t loving God with all your heart and all your might enough? It’s the first and —- “
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Jonas whined. “My mind’s made up. I’m going.”
“I won’t stop you,” Amy said in a gentle voice. “But if you don’t mind, I won’t be coming. Bible study, you know.”
“Sure,” Jonas grinned, “While I feast in green pastures and drink from the still waters Cash Biggins serves, you’ll be choking on Pastor Shepherd’s dry scripture-crackers in a stale living room.”
That night, the words still rang in his mind as he drifted into a dream.
He roamed a waterless desert of thistles and rocks. Parched and gasping, his throat felt like sandpaper, but the desert offered no water.
But then, with a silent prayer of thanks, he saw a shimmering oasis in the distance. A refreshing wind swayed the palms as joyful children dove into a sparkling lake. At the edge of the lake, to his surprise, a throne appeared. And seated upon it was none other than Cash Biggins, wearing a white Armani suit. He gazed at the chattering children with a benevolent smile and gave a satisfied nod. A golden cross, glittering with diamonds, shone on his lapel. He stroked it with his beefy fingers.
“Mister Cash?” Jonas cried, unable to move. “Help me… I can’t get to the oasis.”
Cash Biggins didn’t hear a word; too busy fondling the diamonds.
“Oh God,” Jonas cried. “Please, help me.”
He looked up and disbelief filled his weary heart. The oasis … it was gone. Only a mirage. All was lost.
Jonas buried his face in the sand, shoulders shaking, but no tears came; he was dehydrated.
“Jonas?” A voice called from somewhere.
Jonas refused to look. Another mirage? He was done with that.
“Jonas, look up!”
The voice called out again; warm, inviting and full of grace.
At last, Jonas lifted his eyes and froze in awe. A large cross rose from the sand and on it hung Jesus. Blood seeped from his hands and feet, pooling before Jonas on the dry ground.
“Jesus?” Jonas cried, and he pushed himself up to his feet. “A-another mirage?”
Jesus looked at him from the cross, his eyes full of tender compassion and pain.
“My dear Jonas,” came His voice, gentle yet unyielding. “I am real. But if you would serve the true Master, you must let go of the false gods. If your heart veers, return to the verse of My Word.”
Suddenly, Jonas understood.
He had failed by not taking the Word seriously, seeing it only as a book of pretty poetry and clever sayings.
“I am your life,” Jesus said. “If ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins.” *
A deep peace shattered every shred of self in Jonas’ spirit. Tears sprang from his sore eyes, mixing with the blood of Jesus on the sand.
“My Master and King,” Jonas cried. “Forgive me. I’ve had it all wrong.”
He rose, arms lifted toward the cross, and sang a long-forgotten song. The words rolled out effortlessly.
The lamb is in the fold
In perfect safety penn’d:
The lion once had hold,
And thought to make an end;
But One came by with wounded Side,
And for the sheep the Shepherd died. *
Suddenly, a voice beside him shook him awake.
“Jonas, wake up! Why are you screaming in fear and singing?”
Jonas opened his eyes and stared at the concerned face of Amy. For a moment, he wasn’t sure where he was, staring around in confusion. Then, he cupped Amy’s face in his hands and pressed a gentle kiss on her forehead.
“Oh, Amy,” he whispered. “I’ve been a fool. But not anymore, I want only to go to Pastor Shepherd’s Bible study.”
“Let’s do it,” Amy said, still puzzled, though it sounded far better than any meeting with Cash Biggins. She smiled. “Coffee first, then Pastor Shepherd’s Bible study in an hour.
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