God it’s 16.15hrs. I’m making good progress. In an hour I’ll be dropping anchor at Slipper Island off the coast of New Zealand. We’re right on course, right on time. What a great day! The Alderman’s rising out of the sea far off to the North East. They’re a grumpy, serious council of islands leaning over the horizon to watch me approach. Over behind us to the South West Mayor Island lies long, low and cloud capped. This is awesome God. Say something.
Mark let’s talk about loneliness. Everyone suffers it. Change of life, times when you move away from friends or they from you. When your kids are no longer dependent on you. Crisis brings it too. Illness, disagreements, death. Suddenly those you hold dear are gone. I want to talk to you about that.
I wish you wouldn’t.
Why?
It’s not a subject I like to think about.
Mark I want you to tell people that the purpose of these conversations is to enthuse them to listen to me. Not to you. But to me. I want them to hear less from you and more from me.
God what do you want talk about?
Things that will make you unpopular.
Why on earth would you want to do that?
Because they are things that need to be spoken.
Why say them to me?
Because you’re listening.
Yes but others are too. Plenty of others are listening. Tell them!
Saying sorry is great, but try to live a life where you need to do it less.
God here I am again at anchor in South East Bay. Mayor Island New Zealand. Early morning. Mandolin rocking gently at anchor. Kids still asleep up on deck. Awesome. Beautiful day. Sun already beating down. Gulls calling. Beach line Pohutokawa showing red for a kiwi Christmas. Beautiful!
It is. It’s just as I planned.
How do you mean?
I mean I planned this.
God you always seem to say the same things when we talk.
Why does that matter?
Because it might get boring for people I send these conversations to.
Let me ask you a question Mark. Who are these conversations for?
You and me?
Yes. It’s true for you, and true for anyone else who has a conversation with me, above all else, the conversation is just for us. Just the two of us.
So you’re saying not to worry what others think?
No don’t worry.
There are two ‘sides’ who will have opinions about this conversation. The side of ‘Going to church’, and the side of ‘Not going to church’. I am not on either side.
Mark I want to explain a couple of extremes. Two opposites. Some will like this discussion because it fits their point of view, and others won’t. Both ‘points of view’ are in danger of missing the real meaning of what I am about to say.
No hoops to jump through first.
God was that guy right? He said there’s a Reformation coming?
Absolutely. He heard that direct from me. Years ago. He’s carried it, waited for it all those years. He’s not the only one. There’s been a lot of pain among those who listen. Pain as they wait for this change which seems to have given up ever coming.
God are you saying to start a new conversation? You want me to interrupt my work and have a conversation?
Mark you know what I’m saying.
How do you mean?
I’m saying that you can hear me. You can sense what I’m saying.
Do you mean I can hear you answering the question I just asked?
The only choice you can make is to be my friend. That requires lots and lots of
conversations with me, and then, quite by accident, you will fall in love with me.
Mark I want you to take care.
God what of?
Your heart.
Ok how do I do that?
You listen.
Ok.
