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*Brian Wilcox. 'Living, somewhere that's no where'. Flickr
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Written on the tenth day of silent retreat at Raven's Rest hermitage, in the Great Smoky Mountains, outside Hot Springs, North Carolina.
A continuance of dialogues with a sage who did not see himself as a sage, but others did; from Brian K. Wilcox. "Meetings with an Anonymous Sage."
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A pastor from The Church of Original Revelation, the only church in the small, nearby town, visited the sage. He was upset, for he heard, at the local coffee shop, that the sage had said he did not believe in God. That was all the roar the previous Sunday afternoon, the church folk expressing grave concerns about the matter, as they sipped coffee and ate their sweets. Miss Mattie, a devout member of the church and a firm believer in her God, well, she was very concerned that the God is dead teaching, from the last century, was being revived in these United States again, and right there in little Hopewell. She said, with that squint of her left eye, which came on her face when angry, "The farther we try to go, it seems the harder they work to pull us back!" Her words where received with affirming looks, and even a loud "Amen!"
Pastor Frank volunteered to go interview the sage and bring back a report the following Sunday afternoon. After all, he was the only clergyperson in Hopewell, and anyone who attended church, well, it was his church.
The good people of Hopewell, at least those gathered at the coffee shop, wanted to know for sure, as this concerned them greatly, fearing the sage might spread atheistic teachings among the youth in the local community and even attract some of the church youth to such heresy. So, off to the sage, Frank went... not having an idea what he was walking into...
With all respect, I'm concerned.
And?
Sir, I heard you once said you don't believe in God?
And?
Are you an atheist?
Nothing.
So, you're a Christian?
Nothing.
I haven't a clue what you mean.
That's clear.
Well, I hear that you pray.
And?
So, do you believe God exists?
Did I say that? or not say that?
But you pray, and you speak of God at times? At least that's what I hear.
True.
So, what do you mean when saying you don't believe in God?
Too close... Too close...
That, again, makes no sense to me! What am I to do, when you keep confusing me? What am I to tell all the concerned Christians in town? Don't you, as a member of this community, owe us an answer?
Let's act like it.
Then, what shall I tell them?
Move closer.
*Brian Wilcox. 'somewhere between here & there'. Flickr
*(C)Brian K. Wilcox, 2019
Brian's book, An Ache for Union: Oneness with God through Love, can be ordered from major booksellers online, including the publisher 1stBooks.
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