The Dock
As I wander through the forest; I know where I am going, but I don’t know where I am. I see the trees, the wild uncut grass, the grasshoppers fleeing, the butterflies fluttering around, a squirrel here and there, and birds singing and flying over my head. The nature around me seems so untouched, untainted, and so truly pure. It seems that there has never been a human around, no footpaths, no sounds of cars or airplanes, no smog or smells of the city, none of these destructive things have ever been here.
As I continue to walk, I come to a clearing. In this clearing there is a large pond, and sitting on the water is a floating dock. It is not one of those wooden ones that is anchored into the ground. It seems like it is hard plastic with metal railings. As I walk towards the covered patio, the dock sinks under my weight. On the patio there is a bench near the back and nothing else. I walk toward the edge and look into the water, it is so clear but I can’t see the bottom. I can see the fishes and other creatures swimming around. I sit down on the edge and stick my feet into the water, the cold is a shock but it is an enjoyable one, for my feet are tired and worn.
As I look out over the pond I see that there is no disturbance in the water; it is like glass. Yet the dock is swaying, kind of like a boat drifting on calm water. I see the tall reeds sticking out of the water, some with cattails on them. I can hear the frogs croaking and splashing as they jump into the water. I watch the water striders run across the surface of the pond, the fishes under them are staring curiously at my feet, a couple of squirrels are chasing each other on the other side of the pond, a deer is silently drinking out of the pond just 10 yards away, the dragonflies are gliding lazily, the birds are still singing their beautiful music, and the sky is so blue and clear it is unbelievable.
As I see this pure nature around me; untainted by human hands. I can’t help but feel jealous. As this jealousy is creeping upon me the questions, worries, and sins in my mind show up. I feel like I am about to make the land around me impure. For some reason I asked this question out loud, ” What is my purpose? Why do I even exist?” I know no one was around to answer, but I wished some how someone would hear me. In a way my wish was granted. Frustrated with myself I stare out across the pond. Then a voice said “You were created to love. My Father made you so you can love him and everything around you.”
I turned to see who spoke, but I already knew who it was. He was sitting on the bench behind me. He look at me and smiled, he then stood up and sat down next to me. I was in shock, I didn’t know what to say. Jesus was sitting next to me and I was dumbfounded. Jesus looked at me, straight in the eyes, and said “Ask me the questions you have been wanting to ask”.
I blurted “How can I worship you and be so impure? How can your church worship you and be so divided? Where is the body of Christ I have been hearing about? Why am I so unsatisfied with how I worship and how the church acts?”
I didn’t mean for all of the questions to come out at the same time. Jesus just sat there smiling. He said, while staring out over the pond, “I will answer each question you have put before me. The answer to your first question is; you are human, you are cursed to make mistakes but I don’t care about those mistakes. Whatever attempt you make to worship my Father and I is worthy enough for us, as long as you truly mean it.”
“As for your second question, the church is the people, and as I said earlier humans are bound to make mistakes. The people of the church have divided because of worldly things. Those who truly worship, worship by their actions. They see a need and strive to fill it. That is the real church. I really do love hearing the praises sung on Sunday mornings, but they are hollow if they are not backed with works.” Jesus shifted and stuck his feet in the water. He let out a small gasp and smiled ” The waters a bit cold” he said. I smiled and said “Yes, but it sure does feel good on your feet after a long walk”
“That is very true!” Jesus chuckled, ” Now onto your third question. The body of Christ is one that does it’s work for good and gives all the glory to the Father, no matter what. It is not defined on how much money is given or raised by the church, though that is a good cause. I love seeing brothers and sisters helping one another and going out of their way to ensure that the other is comfortable and satisfied. I want to see the body not only speak the Good News, but to live and perform it.”
“Your next question is a personal one. I have watched you throughout your life.”
“Kind of creepy” I joked.
Jesus let out a great laugh; and I don’t meant great as in a loud one, but one that made me want to hear it again, it was so tender and true.
“You do have a way of making people laugh, Zach, and I want you to continue to keep it that way. Now back to the question. As you have heard being unsatisfied with your spiritual being, is true. For the sins in your life have made you unclean and you will continue to feel that way because you are human. You have not become holy, you are weak and broken. But if you continue to try and follow me, I will lead you to that goal. This is going to take every single day of your life; some maybe easy, others will be very difficult.”
“As for your satisfaction of the church, you have to remember they are somewhat on the same journey as you. Some are focused on that goal more than others. What needs to be done is the church needs to challenge each other, to continue walking down the road and to follow me. I need you, Zach, to challenge those around you and in turn they will challenge you. I want you to motivate those around you, not only by words but by your actions. If this is done correctly then the church shall grow stronger in faith and it’s relationships with one another. ”
I sat there in silence thinking, and Jesus just sat next to me keeping me company.
“Everything here is so beautiful” I said, after several minutes.
“This was all created for you” he replied.
“Really?”
“Yep, my Father and I realized that you need a place to stop and rest. Somewhere away from all of the noise and temptations”
I said in awe “Thank you both!! I really do appreciate it!”
After we sat there just enjoying each others presence. I felt a great blanket of security and happiness come over me, by just being in his presence. I lost track of the time, we could have been sitting there for days or just a couple of minutes.
Jesus turned to me and said “Zach, I really enjoyed this talk and I hate to end this time here, but you still have an adventure to embark on. This isn’t the end of the road, this is more like a rest stop.”
“I truly wish I could stay here” I said, “Everything is so peaceful and pure. I really don’t want to go.”
“Well, sadly, you can’t stay. But the goal you are striving for is so much better than this. I will always be by your side, you just have to remember that. I look forward to having another chat like this soon, but now we must start walking”
I stood up, put my shoes back on, and made my way back to the path. The things around me started to wither. A smell of smoke and fumes reach my nose and I notice the animals were now cautious of me. I felt a little disheartened, but then I heard his voice say “I am here”. I looked up with my courage and strength renewed. I walk further and further away from the dock and its beauty, and closer to the new struggles and chaos that lay before me.
