Write a story on the topic of THE HUNT. (500 words maximum)
Searching for God
by Ray Burton
Centuries before a boy lingered in Jerusalem’s temple courts, a promise was spoken in the wilderness. In Deuteronomy 4:29, Moses told a restless people that even in exile and confusion, one truth would remain: “You will seek the Lord your God and you will find Him when you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.”
Not a casual promise. It assumed loss, distance and longing.
At the Passover, Jerusalem is alive with worshippers. Among them are Mary and Joseph—faithful, obedient, devout. They have done everything right. They have brought their Son to the feast. They have honored the Law and walked in community.
But, as they journey home, they realize: He is not with them.
It is possible to be moving in a religious crowd and not notice that Jesus is no longer there!
Night falls. Anxiety rises. They searched for Him among relatives and friends. When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem. Three days they sought Him—through streets, among pilgrims, retracing every step. This is seeking born of fear, of love, of desperation. This is the kind of seeking that costs sleep and pride.
They searched in anguish. But Jesus was not lost or confused. He was seated in the temple, listening and asking questions. He was not lost. He was home.
Here a deeper mystery unfolds: while His parents are seeking a missing Son, the Son was seeking His Father.
When Mary finally finds Him, her words carry the ache of every anxious heart: “Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” Her search was sincere. It was heartfelt. Yet Jesus responds with a question that unsettles: “Did you not know I must be in My Father’s house?”
In other words: Were you looking for Me in all the wrong places?
Deuteronomy speaks again. Seeking God with all our heart is not merely searching when something feels wrong. It is not scrambling to regain lost comfort. Mary and Joseph sought from alarm. Jesus sought from desire. Mary searched because they feared loss. Jesus remained because He longed for communion. One sought relief, the other relationship.
Many of us search for Jesus when life unsettles us or when prayers seem unanswered. We ask, “Where is God?” Yet the greater question is whether we desire what He desires. Are we seeking Him in the place where He dwells—in intimacy with the Father?
After three days, they found Him. The promise of scripture proved true: those who seek, find. But the story leaves a lingering, holy discomfort. They did not understand what He meant. Even devoted hearts may not fully grasp where Jesus feels most at home.
The boy returned with them and grew in wisdom. The family was restored. Yet the echo remains across centuries: If you seek Him with all your heart and soul, you will find Him.
The question is not whether He can be found. The question is where and how you are seeking!
The Hunt
by Sue Wayman
The feeling of sheer panic overtook me. I could feel my heart beating rapidly in my chest. My breaths were shallow and I’d broken out in a cold sweat. I was trembling.
With fumbling hands, I counted again…1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9…no, no, that can’t be right – that just can’t be right. I counted them once more to be sure. I thought I was going to be sick. One of our precious silver coins was missing.
“Miriam, Miriam,” I called out in my distress. Miriam came running from next door to see what the commotion was all about. “I have a silver coin missing. I had ten, now I have only nine. I’ve checked and checked but it’s definitely missing. Levi will be home this evening and I will be in such trouble. He’s bound to blame me for losing it. What am I to do? We’re saving for Aaron’s wedding.”
Miriam finally managed to get a word in: “Now then Abigail, just calm down. It can’t have been stolen… a thief would have taken all ten. It must be here somewhere. Now I can’t stay to help you look; I need to get back to the children. Just remember to be thorough…and take your time. I’m sure you’ll find it.”
How blessed was I to have such a great friend and neighbour. I already felt calmer. Miriam was so reassuring. She was right, I had to take my time and have a thorough hunt.
Taking a deep breath, I lit the lamp. Now I’d be able to see more clearly. Next, I took hold of my broom and began to sweep from the corner farthest away from the door. There was no sign of it. I moved everything from one side of the room to the other and continued the hunt. Nothing. Then I slowly moved everything back and cleared the other side of the room. Nothing again. In desperation I picked up the lamp and swung it backwards and forwards. What was that? It was almost imperceptible, but there was a definite glimmer of something as the light reflected off it…could it be? Could it be?
I approached the corner where I saw the lost silver coin wedged into a crack between the wall and the floor. How on earth had it got there without me noticing? Never mind. It was found! My lost coin was found!
Kneeling down, I managed to prise it out of the crack and gleefully shouted “Miriam, Miriam.” Miriam came running. When she saw me holding the coin aloft a huge smile broke out on her face: “Oh Abigail, I’m so glad you found it, now all is well. Put it away with the others in its safe place.”
I was rejoicing with a clear conscience when I started preparing the homecoming meal for Levi and Aaron. “Thank you Lord,” I prayed under my breath. “Our coin was lost but now it’s found! Hallelujah!”
Based on the parable of the lost coin in Luke 15: 8-10.
The Hunt
by Sue Shelton
“Mum, is it ready?” came the cry from five hungry children waiting for Sunday lunch.
“Not quite,” said Mum from the kitchen. “Here, snack on these,” and she poked her head around the door and proffered a plate full of raw sprouts with a little pile of salt at the side.
“Thanks Mum,” we cried and descended like vultures on the plate. The sprouts were crunchy and peppery and delicious dipped in salt. The smell of roasting chicken wafted from the kitchen. It was hard to be patient.
Our summer holidays in the Sussex countryside were always a delight. We had spent the morning in the woods, being Robin Hood and his merry men – and girls. The winner of an arrow shooting competition was to take first pick of the roles. Anne won.
“Hurrah!” she said “I’ll be Robin Hood.”
“Oh alright,” said Tony sulkily, “just for today,” and off we went romping through the trees to lay a trap for the Sheriff of Nottingham’s men.
By lunchtime we were ready for refuelling and it was hard to be patient.
“Go and wash your hands,” called Mum from the kitchen, “and then help me to carry these things through to the dining room.” Soon the table was laden with roast chicken, crispy roast potatoes, peas, carrots, broccoli and a fragrant gravy. Dad served up chicken to each person and then we helped ourselves to the vegetables and gravy.
“Chris can you say grace for us,” said Dad. A respectful hush descended on the table as Chris thanked the Lord for our food and asked for His blessing.
It was in this moment of quiet that we began to hear the sound of excited dogs. Not just one dog, but a whole bunch of them getting louder and louder as they got closer and closer to our bungalow.
“What’s going on!” I cried. And then, all of a sudden a furry brown creature with a very bushy tail, came in through the front door, streaked through the dining room, then through the kitchen and out the back door.
In a very short space of time he was followed by the hounds, about 30 in number, tumbling through the front door, making a massive racket, yelping and howling. We thought they would exit out the back after the fox, but no, there was something much more accessible and interesting for them. With front paws on the table, they could reach our dinner plates. Some actually jumped up onto the table to make short work of the chicken carcass. The gravy was especially appreciated.
Master Fox would have made a pretty sure getaway by the time the embarrassed horsemen arrived. He would no doubt be grateful that we donated our lunch to a good cause. Having got over the shock, we fell about laughing. This tale would keep friends entertained for many years to come.
Fox hunting is now banned in the UK much to the relief of these wily animals.