I looked up at the enormous shimmering gates guarding a city of wonders: streets lined with mansions, rivers of crystal water, and a peaceful people ruled by a just and powerful king.
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But no person entered the rich kingdom without first earning their spot, and there was only one way to do it.
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I gripped the rough, wooden bow and took my stance. I knew the king stood on the wall and watched me, but I wouldn’t look at him. I swallowed hard and narrowed my eyes at the target, a large wooden circle nearly a mile away. With shaky fingers, I nocked my arrow and pulled it to my face.
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I’d trained my entire life for this, practicing day and night so I would be able to make this impossible shot. I wouldn’t fail. I couldn’t. My muscles burned as I held my bow, arrow drawn, and pointed it at the target. Sweat was beading on my forehead, the muscles in my face twitched.
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Breathe. Focus. Release.
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My arrow, flying straight and fast, fell immensely short of the mark, disappearing into the thick brush.
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I crumpled to my knees and stared after the only chance I had of living in the shining city with the good king. I dropped my bow, buried my face in my hands, and wept.
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Someone touched my shoulder.
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I looked up and into the kind face of the king. He’d left the safety of the city walls to come to me. He held out his hand. Hesitantly, I picked my bow up off the ground and placed it in his outstretched hand.
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He pulled out a shining arrow and took aim, strong and steady, and confidently released the arrow. It flew across the expanse so quickly I nearly missed it hitting the target, directly in its center.
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My mouth fell open as I looked back at him. He smiled. “Come,” he said, his voice warm and kind. Again he held out his hand, and I grasped it with my own.
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The king walked me through the gates of his kingdom, welcoming me as his child. • Emily Tenter
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• Have you ever tried to earn favor with God by doing good things?
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• Why is it so important that nothing we can do can save us from sin and death?
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• Reread today’s Bible passages. Why is Jesus the only One who can save us from sin and death?
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• To learn more about Jesus and why we all need Him, check out our "Know Jesus" page!
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For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 (CSB)