WHERE WILL YOU SPEND ETERNITY?
Evening settled gently over the road. The last cries of market women faded as wooden stalls were pulled shut, their voices dissolving into the hum of passing traffic.
The scent of roasted maize lingered in the air, warm and smoky.
Above, the orange glow of the sinking sun bled into purple dusk, and the first stars pricked the heavens.
Streetlights flickered on one by one, humming softly as their pale glow pushed back the gathering shadows.
Edward walked slowly along the roadside, gravel crunching beneath his shoes, his mind deep in thought. The breeze brushed past him, stirring leaves and lifting dust into brief spirals.
Then, through the thinning light, he noticed a figure approaching. At first, her outline was unfamiliar. As she drew nearer, laughter on her lips, memory stirred suddenly in his chest.
It was Elara—his childhood friend.
She moved briskly, dressed revealingly, her steps quick and purposeful, as though drawn toward some secret destination.
Their eyes met. Both slowed without speaking, the noise of the road dimming around them.
A flicker of recognition warmed Edward’s face as his voice broke through the evening calm.
Edward (surprise):
“Elara? Is that really you?”
The breeze rustled the trees overhead as Elara gasped, her breath catching. Joy spilled across her face, bright and unguarded, her tone lifting with excitement.
Elara (smiling):
“Edward! Oh my goodness—it’s been so long! Look at you… You haven’t changed much.”
They stepped closer, hands meeting in a warm clasp. Laughter rose between them, light and familiar, blending with the distant clatter of closing shops and the hum of streetlights fighting the night.
Edward’s voice followed, easy and full of wonder.
Edward (wonder):
“It must be… what, since our school days? Truly, time flies.”
Elara’s tone softened as she answered, her words drifting like a fond memory.
Elara (nodding):
“Yes! Childhood feels like another world now.”
Their laughter ebbed, leaving a fragile silence behind. Crickets chirped in the roadside grass, their rhythm steady and insistent.
Edward’s smile slowly faded. His eyes searched hers, heavy with purpose, as though eternity itself pressed on his tongue.
His voice returned, lower now, weighted with urgency.
Edward (serious):
“Elara, I must ask you something important. Tell me… where will you spend eternity?”
The air shifted. Elara blinked, her breath hitching as surprise crossed her face. The night seemed to lean closer.
A brief pause followed, uncertainty brushing the edges of her tone before it steadied.
Elara (hesitant):
“Eternity? What kind of question is that? Of course—heaven. I am born again.”
Edward’s gaze held steady. His voice remained gentle, but truth sharpened its edge as he spoke.
Edward (gently):
“Born again? Then why do you dress this way—exposing what should be covered? And at night, hurrying off to your boyfriend? Is this the life of a child of God?”
The street grew heavy with silence. Shadows deepened around them, stretching long across the asphalt. Elara folded her arms, her joy extinguished. Her voice rose, defensive and tight.
Elara (defensive):
“Edward, don’t judge me! Are you God? The Bible says He looks at the heart, not the clothes I wear. Who are you to question me?”
Edward did not step back. His tone stayed calm, unshaken, carrying sorrow more than anger.
Edward (calmly):
“I am not judging you, Elara. But I cannot keep silent when I see you walking toward destruction.”
Elara turned her face away, jaw clenched. Her words cut sharply through the air.
Elara (sharply):
“If not for our childhood memories, I wouldn’t even stand here wasting time with you.”
She lifted her hand to dismiss him. The wind stilled. Edward reached out, gently catching her wrist. The night air thickened, and a hush fell over the road, as though the street itself held its breath.
Edward raised his free hand. Light shimmered suddenly, rippling through the darkness. Before them, a radiant screen unfolded—alive, luminous, burning with divine clarity.
His voice came firm, carrying authority.
Edward (firmly):
“Wait, Elara. Just watch.”
Her body trembled. Slowly, unwillingly, she turned toward the vision. Color drained from her face as the sound hit her first.
Screams tore through the air. Souls writhed in roaring flames, their cries rising like thunder. Fire licked endlessly at bodies twisted in torment, teeth gnashing without rest.
A woman’s voice broke through the chaos, raw with agony.
Esther (agony):
“I thought God only cared for my heart. I ignored my worldly dressing… now I regret forever!”
The flames surged as another voice groaned, heavy with despair.
Charles (groaning):
“I gave myself to fornication. I thought I had time to repent… but now I am condemned.”
Chains rattled in the fire as a third voice cried out, bitter and broken.
George (bitterly):
“I carried unforgiveness all my life. I never let go. Now it chains me here forever.”
Elara staggered back, clutching her chest. Her knees failed her, and she collapsed onto the roadside, dust clinging to her dress. Tears streamed freely as sobs tore from her soul.
Elara (crying):
“Lord… no… have mercy on me! Forgive me!”
Edward lifted his hand once more. The flames vanished instantly. Blazing darkness gave way to overwhelming light.
Before them, heaven unfolded—golden, pure, alive. Saints stood robed in spotless white, their voices rising in worship before the throne.
A calm, radiant voice spoke, carrying peace and truth.
Saint Deborah (serene):
“I lived holy both inwardly and outwardly. I examined myself daily. To be in heaven is not by luck but by living a holy life inward and outward. Obedience to God’s Word is the key to unlock the heavenly gate.”
Another voice followed, intense and resolute, cutting through temptation like a sword.
Saint Paul (intensity):
“When temptation to fornicate came, I fled! I did not linger to pray for God to take it away. I ran—and God preserved me.”
The chorus of saints filled the air, holy fire rolling like waves. Elara bowed fully to the ground, trembling as light washed over her broken heart.
Edward lowered his hand. The radiant screen dissolved, leaving only the quiet street and the whisper of the wind. He knelt beside her, his voice tender and steady.
Edward (tender):
“Elara, today is the day of mercy. God still waits to forgive you. Rise, and walk in holiness. He will wash you clean.”
Peace descended slowly, like dew upon scorched ground. Elara reached for his hand. Together, they stood.
Her eyes wandered, still wet, until they caught the glow of a nearby clothing store. She tugged at Edward’s sleeve.
Inside, under soft lights, she chose a modest robe. Edward paid. She stepped into the changing room.
When she emerged, clothed in modesty, joy wrapped around her like light. Shopkeepers murmured in awe. Her laughter mingled with tears of relief as Edward watched, his eyes shining.
Her phone vibrated suddenly. She froze, staring at the screen—her boyfriend’s name glowing back at her. She inhaled deeply and answered.
Elara (firm):
“Please, I can no longer be your girlfriend. I belong to Christ now. I cannot live in sin.”
Pleading sobs poured through the phone. Elara closed her eyes, pressing her thumb against her temple as she drew in a shaky breath.
The tears didn’t stop, but her voice did—steadying, gathering resolve.
Elara (resolve):
“Please, as I repent, I also want you to repent. Turn your life to God. Only then will you find peace.”
Silence followed. Then anger. The call ended. Elara exhaled, relief loosening her shoulders. She turned to Edward, gratitude shining through her tears.
Her tone came soft and unguarded, trembling with sincerity.
Elara (grateful):
“Thank you… for saving me tonight. If not for God using you to stop me, who knows what would have happened if I had gone to him and fallen into fornication? Thank you once again.”
Edward lifted his hand toward heaven, humility in his voice.
Edward (reverent):
“We give God all the glory.”
They stepped back into the night. The air felt cooler, cleaner. The street lay calm now, leaves rustling softly as though heaven whispered approval.
They bowed their heads together.
Edward’s breath slowed, shoulders settling as reverence filled the quiet. His voice rose low and steady, shaped by gratitude and resolve.
Edward (praying):
“Father, thank You for Your mercy. Keep Elara strong in Your Word. Let her life shine as a testimony to others. Help me also to examine my Christian walk daily. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”
Elara’s breath wavered, then steadied. The tremor in her chest softened into resolve, and her tone followed—low, gentle, carried by surrender rather than strength.
Elara (softly):
“Lord, I surrender. Forgive me. Clothe me in righteousness. From this day, I live only for You. Strengthen Edward also—let him not only carry the light but be the light. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”
They lifted their heads. Their steps were steady now as they walked side by side. The city’s hum softened, the streetlights glowing gentler.
Somewhere in the distance, a faint hymn drifted on the night breeze.
Edward and Elara walked on—their footsteps echoing with new beginnings.
THE END.
Written by Agbemawle Atsu Norvishi
© All Rights Reserved. Shared freely to bless and inspire.
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