Friday, December 16, 2011

Backstory: "Judgment Day"

The inspiration for "Judgment Day" actually came from a mixture of sources, like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle coming together to from a picture.  Among the different elements coming together were:
  • The tendency of many Christians to ignore the Scriptural directive of Matthew 7:1-2, "Do not judge so that you will not be judged.  For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you."  Yes, we're supposed to hate sin, but we're also supposed to love the sinner and try to lead them to the path of righteousness.  How often do we get the first part right, only to miss the second completely?
  •  For that matter, consider Matthew 7:3-5.  "Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye."  We can see other people's sins as huge and egregious, but how do we look at our own?
  • The adage, "What happens on vacation, stays on vacation."  Yes, I know that it's usually "in Vegas," but honestly, that same mindset can be applied almost anywhere.  Being away from home can produce the illusion that actions can come without consequences, simply because "They don't know me here," "I'll never see these people again," etc.  So I wondered: What would the locals in a vacation locale think about the tourists' behavior?
  • A church we once saw on vacation on St. Simon's Island.  The parking lot only look big enough to accomodate 20 or so vehicles, indicating that big crowds weren't expected there.  "What about the people who did attend?" I wondered.  
"Judgment Day" is a fairly short piece, so I can't go into much more without spoiling it.  However, you can check it out in Residential Aliens' anthology, While the Morning Stars Sing: An Anthology of Spiritually Infused Speculative Fiction.  Philippians 4:13.--SMS

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