The Awakening of John - Episode 4

John tentatively put the key in the lock and turned it. He’d spent most of the day without the physical presence of, well, of whoever… and his brain was insisting on recalling the time with him as a false memory, an hallucination. He didn’t know whether he preferred the idea that he was going quietly mad or that God was waiting for him in his flat.

He opened the door hesitantly and heard nothing, realising that he was feeling disappointed along with an internal sigh of relief. He hung up his jacket on its peg and went into the kitchen to get a well-deserved beer. God was sat at the table with an open can in his hand whilst another one was on the side, waiting for him.

Disappointment was quickly exchanged for shock and he gaped, open-mouthed. “Thought you’d want a beer after the day you’ve had. It’s not the best I’ve ever tasted, but it’s cold.” And with that, he picked the spare up and tossed it to John. “Nice flat by the way, you keep it tidy when there’s no one else to see it – that’s good character right there.”

John sat down, thoroughly bemused – in one part of his mind he realised that Jesus had often eaten and drunk with his friends, in another, the thought of God having preferences about beer seemed anachronistic. Just one more thing to add to his growing list of questions. He opened the beer and took a sip, the coldness grounding his flitting thoughts and growing anxiety. “You managed to get in then?”

“You’re funny – yes, that was never going to be a problem once you’d given me permission. How did the rest of the day go?”

“I think you already know, so what’s the point of telling you?”

“Good question, here’s another. If you had a friend whose diary you had access to, which would you prefer – to read the diary or chat over a beer?”

“The beer and chat, but that just raises a whole load of other questions. I mean, I’ve always been taught that you know everything – ahead of time…”

“I see your question and I raise you this one: Are there things that you can do that you are able to choose not to do?”

“Of course, all the time, that’s why there are still so many people in the world.” He decided two could use the humour card and was rewarded with a gentle chuckle.

“Yep, exactly. The fact I can do something doesn’t mean I have to – the fact I can know how your day has gone doesn’t mean I have to know. Imagine how boring relationships would be if you knew everything in advance! So, tell me, how’d it go?”

John sighed. This was so different to anything he’d imagined before. His friend could have peeked but seemed more interested in the dynamics of relationship – and if he was to honour that he needed to be more honest than he wanted to be.

“Badly, if I’m honest, and I guess I should be… I lied to my boss about why I missed the interview. Some story about an old friend turning up unexpectedly.” He winced, even as he said it, waiting for a withering reply.

“Ha! If I had a pound for every time someone used me as an excuse, I’d be rich! Oh, wait, I am! Go on then, how did that work out?”

“You’re not going to tell me off for lying, smite me or something – I mean, shouldn’t I confess, repent and ask for forgiveness?” John looked at his friend and decided it was safe to continue. “I’ve no idea whether they believed me or not – I suspect not, because of my past lateness… anyway, they told me that Mubina had been offered the position…”

“And? I can tell there’s an ‘and’”

“And I remembered you saying I should get to know Mubina… so I went to tell her ‘well done’ – and I found that I actually meant it. I was glad for her… And I guess that communicated because she was so relieved and grateful – she’d been worried about my reaction… I met her as a person rather than as a Muslim or a threat… I’m a bit ashamed…”

“Ah, that’s good – you saw the  person, I’m proud of you.” John didn’t know how to respond – he’d lied, didn’t that disqualify him from God’s presence or something?