Enemies (MATURE THEMES)

A crowd gathered around us as the hype grew; I was in a favorable position for this fight.
If I lost, he was two years older than me and I lose no respect from my peers. If I won, however, my status as an arm wrestling champion would be elevated to stardom. Besides, I was battling him with my right arm, even when I was left-handed. The stakes were so low for me I had no choice but to challenge this 12-year old. The murmurs around us grew as an older teen counted us down. 3, 2, 1. You may begin.
The words were scarcely out of his mouth when I slammed the kid's hand flat on the table. As he made excuses to his defeat, I threw on my backpack and sauntered away, pleased with finally getting my revenge.
This victory was so sweet to a poisoned mind like mine, mainly because I had a score to settle with this young man, Ryan. In the three years before this arm-wrestle, he had laughed at my sister for having a friend who was a boy. Her friend, Eric, was Ryan's best friend and he was jealous of all the time Eric spent with her. I now understand the system and how I should have gone about talking with Ryan and telling him that what he was doing is not okay.
Instead, I kicked his butt in an arm wrestle and embarrassed him in front of his friends. I think seeds of resentment were sowed in his heart that day, directed at me. We became enemies, ignoring each other when we were in the others' presence.
Fast-forward four years- The memories have subsided and we've both matured somewhat. We both happen to be at Creation Northwest, a Christian music festival. Deciding to set aside our resentments, we walked throughout the exhibitors building together, accompanied by a mutual friend. In this simple time, my fury and bitter hate arose like never before. It began with getting girl's numbers and concluded with Ryan lying to my mom. Okay, the numbers thing, I choose not to partake in, but it's cool if that's what the other guys are up for. But the fibbing thing? That's not cool and it's not okay.
No one frickin' lies to my momma.
I became so vengeful that I removed myself from the situation and proceeded to never speak to him again, for fear of falling deeper into sin.
My heart screams in agony as I tell you this, because two weeks ago, Ryan killed himself.
He killed himself.
As in, committed suicide and I will never see him again.
Dead.
Ryan is dead.
At one point, I reveled in making his social standing suffer. The kid that agonized my sister and provoked me by lying to my mom.
Dead.
My heart is sore for his family. A 19-year old, feeling so helpless, so desperate as to kill himself in cold blood. But who's the real murderer here? Is there more to this brutal homicide than meets the eye? I think if we dig a little deeper, we can discover the root of this evil. While this young man was lying to my mother, the Father of lies was spewing his venom into Ryan.
You're useless. Even your family denies you. End the suffering. There's a gun right there. Worthless.
All this time, I thought Ryan was my enemy, but if I saw him just once more, I would pull him close and whisper in his ear, "Jesus loves you, Ryan. I'm praying for you. Let's get some coffee and talk."
But I'll never see him again, and there's no use imagining what could have been. I can only think of what I'll do different in the future.
What I will do differently is that I will love my enemies. I will forgive my opponents and strive for holiness in all my relationships. I will not let the bitterness of hate invade my heart, and I will never, ever despair to the point of committing suicide.
Please keep Ryan in your prayers. He will be in mine for the rest of my life.
Every life is so valuable. Don't waste yours by listening to the father of lies. Listen to the Father of Love.

Love, love, love people.
Your friend,
Jacob