Guang’s head smacked against the concrete floor. His face was bruised and bleeding, and his bones cracked as the prison guards kicked him viciously.
“Tell us a story now, Pastor!” One guard spat, as if ridding his tongue of a sour taste.
As his vision blurred, Guang noticed a light switch on the wall.
“The LORD is my light and my salvation,” he managed to cough. “Whom shall I fear?”
Outraged, the guards cursed at the man and attacked him with renewed ferocity. Slowly, his vision faded to black…
But then Guang saw it… glorious, unquenchable Light.
His smile remained.
This week’s Friday Fictioneers Challenge was to take this abstract photo and the standard 100 words to produce a piece of Realistic Fiction.
As of 2001, the “World Christian Encylopedia” reported that there were 45,400,000 people martyred for their faith in the twentieth century. Suffering for the cause of Christ is very real, and it is very real today. Are we praying for those with the courage to stand for Christ and His unquenchable Light?
Are we willing to carry this Light into the world ourselves?
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Photo Prompt: Copyright Ted Strutz
The Artistic Christian 
This is so powerful I had to read it three times. Well done.
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Thanks for that! When I hear of those being martyred for their faith, it always causes me to stop and re-evaluate… we need these reminders, I think!
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I liked your interpretation of ‘light’ .. Good story.
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Thanks so much for stopping by today – I appreciate that!
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Amazing story and so touching! I bet the last round killed him. Horrible guards and I’m glad he found the light! Nan 🙂
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Nan – I think you’re right about his passing away. But that’s the beauty of having hope in Christ… men can harm our physical bodies, but they can’t touch our souls! I do believe that those who die for their Christian faith are welcomed into the Eternal Light of Heaven, which no one can quench.
Thanks, as always, for your kind words!
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Very well written. The emotions were palpable and your descriptions vivid. I felt as if I was in the room. Excellent.
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Thanks, Sheila – your comment put a smile on my face!
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Love this. Well, I love the light bit, not the horrific torture bit.
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Ha! I don’t think anyone will blame you for that one!
Have a blessed evening…
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Well said.
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Dear John Mark,
I have to admire Guang and others who have been imprisoned and beaten for their faith. You wrote this very well.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you for this reminder. Christians in the US are blessed to have the freedom of religion. We often forget that people are still being martyred for being Christian!
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Well done, John Mark. They could kill his body, but couldn’t attack his soul. — Suzanne
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Exactly… and what a powerful promise that is for believers! Thanks, Suzanne!
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A very powerful message, John. That anyone should be imprisoned and beaten so badly for their faith is truly horrendous. Guang was very courageous and the light at the end was a wonderful thing – an excellent way to end your story.
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Thanks – I always appreciate your feedback, Millie!
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