Write an ‘Angel’ story in any genre you like. (500 words maximum)
A Day in the Life of an Angel
by Ray Burton
Angelo was excited. Two thousand years had passed since Jesus was born and he had the privilege of witnessing and heralding His arrival. Now, he was to return to Earth and see how His followers were doing.
His first assignment was on their giving. So, he walked unseen into the supermarket and looked around for a disciple. Sure enough, he saw God’s Spirit radiating from a person in the checkout queue. Angelo approached but noticed the tears of the unsaved person in front of the disciple.
Why was she crying he wondered. “I don’t have that much money” said the unsaved person to the cashier. The disciple saw the cigarettes in her handbag and decided to do nothing except, look away. Why did not he help wondered Angelo. Surely that was a wonderful opportunity to show the Father’s love, he thought. A little disappointed he moved out to the carpark.
His next assignment was on their helps. He again looked around for a disciple and waited. Sure enough, it was not long before he saw the Spirit of Christ emanating from a young man wearing a tee shirt with, “CHRIST FOLLOWER” written across the back. He approaches to see what would unfold.
Moments later an elderly lady, laden with shopping left the supermarket exit. She struggled with the weight, lost her footing and fell down a step she had not noticed. A couple without the light rushed to her aid, but the young man looked away and walked into the supermarket. Why did not he help wondered Angelo. Surely that was a terrific opportunity to show the Father’s love, he thought. A little disappointed he left the carpark and headed for the city centre.
Walking down the road his heart leap as he saw two disciples giving out tracks. His next assignment was evangelism and he felt sure this would go well. As he approached the disciples, a lost and hurting man also approached filled with a demonic spirit of hatred. “Go to hell you hypocrites, you don’t belong here, this is Satan’s domain,” he shouted.
Hoping for words of love, or wisdom or even authority from the believers, Angelo was horrified when the disciples, gripped with fear, quickly walked away. Angelo did not realize he could experience embarrassment, but he could, and he did. Angelo returned to heaven to speak with God
“Show how did your time on Earth go? Were the saints living like my Son taught them?” asked the Father. “Not really,” said Angelo. “How so,” asked the Father.
“They wear religious clothes, but do not live it out in their lives. They have opportunities to give and do good but withhold it, but that is not the worst of it,” said Angelo.
“What do you mean?” asked the Father.
“Well, some have your Son’s light, but they behave as if they didn’t, even allowing Satan to control them with fear.”
“I see,” said the Father.
“What will you do?” asked Angelo.
“I will love them, and I will speak with them, while there’s still time,” said the Father.
An Unexpected Rescue
by Sue Shelton
We left Tauranga airport in the early evening to fly to Hawkes Bay. This was my first flight with my uncle Ted who was showing off his new light aircraft. The summer evenings were long so we had plenty of time to reach Napier before dark. I was thrilled to be sitting in the co-pilots seat. When all the pre-flight checks were done and we were given clearance to leave, we headed off down the runway. The plane was noisy, but uncle Ted gave me headphones with a little microphone so we could talk to one another.
“I’m keeping the nose of the plane to the centre line of the runway Danny.” He said, “Look, I’m just pulling back gently on the stick to bring the nose up”
We smoothly lifted into the air. Looking out of the window I gasped at the sight of the coastline curvingaway into the distance. There were boats that looked like tiny toys on the water.
“We are going to fly over the Rotorua lakes, then head for lake Taupo to get a good view of the lake and the mountains, on our way to Hawke’s Bay” explained uncle.
“look down there” he said, “there is lake Rotorua”
And then in no time at all it seemed, we were approaching Lake Taupo with a view of the mountains of the central plateau, grand and snow-capped across the lake. It was about 6.30 pm and the summer sunwas descending in the sky giving the snow a golden glow.
“God’s creation is awesome!” said uncle Tom. He was always talking about God. I wasn’t sure whether God was real. But when uncle Tom talked of Him it was kind or reassuring and comforting.
That’s when it happened. Suddenly, from the lake in front of us, rose a whole flock of birds. I guess they were geese or ducks. We didn’t have time to think because before we could do anything they were smashing into the windscreen and there was a crack and the windscreen shattered and glass was flying around and a great wind rushed through the cockpit.
I screamed. A shard of glass had grazed my cheek and blood ran down my face. I was sure we were going to die.
“Lord help us!” Shouted uncle Tom, then he said to me, “keep calm Danny, Taupo airport is really close by, we’ll make an emergency landing there.”
He headed for the airport, at the same time calling the control tower on his radio. There was no reply at first, just a crackling sound, and then suddenly a voice replied as clear as anything and started giving uncle detailed instructions, guiding him in so he was positioned just right for the runway, and then we were descending and we could see the runway through the shattered glass and we touched down smoothly. Taxiing to the buildings we wondered why there were no lights on. In fact, there was no one there at all. The airport closed at 6. Everyone had gone home.
“Who was that man on the radio uncle?” I asked in amazement.
“I believe God answered my prayer Danny and sent an angel to help us – thank you Lord” he said
“Thank you Lord” I echoed
Angels
by Bruce Tregonning
I can only say on this topic of Angels how I’ve not had the privilege of experiencing a visitation though I have read many instances or seen TV shows like Sid Roth’s ‘That’s supernatural’. To be touched or have an assignment of angels would lead to an amazing testimony worth sharing with anyone.
Knowing that Biblical characters like Noah, Abraham, Gideon, the virgin Mary, Joseph, Paul and many others have received those messages from God, assures me of His greatness by sending proxies of His love and concern for humankind.
Important revelations to ordinary people through angelic visitations give believers hope that such occurrences are divine driven and supernatural intent, leaving unbelievers to wonder and be awed.
A particular favourite of an angelic presence was St Paul in a jail alongside Silas when an earthquake struck after midnight and shackles and chains were cast off. Even better was when Peter was imprisoned and heeding the call of an angel was led out of the jail to a road outside the prison gates.
Another great example mentioned in Israel’s early history of the Old Testament in Numbers 22, was Balaam on his donkey, and when she saw an angel of the Lord standing on the road with a drawn sword in his hand, she turned off the road and copped some beatings. The second time she lay under Balaam while suffering more beatings. Then the most surprising thing of all, the angel opened the donkey’s mouth and spoke to Balaam. Only after that miraculous moment when Balaam saw the same angel, he bowed down and repented his actions.
Other more famed arch angels, Michael and Gabriel are mentioned in Scripture, the former in battle against evil forces and the defence of God’s people whilst the latter was chiefly seen as a messenger from God.
In my own life, in retrospect, I think I’ve had instances of angels’ unseen, intervening in situations that have saved me from near-death experiences. Most notably, in my mind, was a motorbike incident, but in reality, a self-inflicted accident, back in my early 20s while a training student at Teacher’s College in Dunedin. At the time I considered it a miracle but no thought of it being an angelic protection that left me concussed with only a scratch and bruising.
At another time, after returning from overseas while driving a brand new mini, I was spared in a double miracle. On a lonely back country road, I drove into a long patch of loose gravel at the side and while I was out of gear, I flipped the mini. Fortunately, I landed back onto the front wheels, and to my amazement I survived without a scratch. I then proceeded to my meeting planned for the evening appointment. The other interesting factor was no apparent damage to the mini’s body work and hence no embarrassment. An angelic intervention possibly but, by the grace of God, I am here today—all praise and glory to God.