The situations in the world are worrisome—everything that is newsworthy is troublesome.  So guess what, a lot of us avoid watching the news on TV.  There’s nothing happy or joyful about the current situation of our planet.  We’ve misused everything that was handed over to us by the Grace of God.  Rivers and seas are polluted, forests are laid bare, the air we breathe is contaminated, the water we drink is chlorinated, the landfills have tones of our noxious waste. Celebrities wearing but a sliver of cloth are idolized; people with no intelligence become global leaders, to have millions of dollars in ones account makes one an instant candidate for the cover of a money magazine, no matter how the wealth was raised, or how many lives were put at risk.   Your job situation could be in a state of panic, your children lovers of materialism, your boss a monstrous megalomaniac, your coworkers an untrustworthy bunch.  There’s gossip that follows you in the lunchroom, slander at every nook and corner.   Sounds real, doesn’t it?  So where do you run, where will you hide?

Into the all encompassing arms of a mighty God.  You could be laughing now—either in embarrassment, or thinking who this crazy writer is, does he really practice what he writes about?  Yes, I do.  When your focus is on yourself, and all you are thinking about is me, and I, and myself, and when all your thoughts, deeds, and actions are projected on your own screen, all you will see is perhaps darkness.  What are the next steps to alleviate your state of being?  Instant gratification which could either be one or all of the following; alcohol, sex, shopping, overindulgence of food, TV, movies, pornography.  You could be a fitness maniac and run for miles (and from what?), or go on a holiday (only to come back to the same BS), or take a walk in the park and admire the goodness of nature (once you’re back on the road, there are half a dozen accidents).  The point is; it all comes back to square one.

We have a wonderful, merciful, gracious God.  Full of wisdom, and generosity, patience and truth.  If only you’d let Him encompass you in His love, it will transcend into your being.  After all you were created in His likeness and image—He is your true Dad, Papa, Father—call Him Mighty Deliverer, Holiest of Holies, Precious God, King of Kings, Lord above all things, Creator of this earth and all it contains; visible or invisible, Rock and Fortress, the Beginning and the End, Wisdom Incarnate, Savior of your soul.  Our lives here are but temporary, and the fact is death can be an anytime visitor, so having a permanent residence in heaven should be our greatest desire.  If you are still laughing, that’s great, because I’m glad I was able to alleviate that dark cloud that was hovering on the top of your mind, and introduce you to the showers of blessings that will fall on your life after an encounter with God.  If you’re an unbeliever, that’s even better because I’m about to tell you a joke. A real one, not one of those senseless kinds.  Something you can also pass on.

Here goes:  God is walking in His garden filled with the most beautiful roses, flowers of every hue and variety, and organic fruits and vegetables when a scientist who is also an atheist and North American and an inventor of genetically modified flora, fauna, livestock and on the verge of genetically modifying the human seed meets Him.  Their hellos are brief, and the scientist smirks when God introduces Himself.  “Aha!  Finally I get to meet the Almighty. Can we have a competition?” insists the scientist.  “Sure!” says God humbly but with authority, always up for a challenge from the species that He created.  “Ok, that’s great! I’m so excited!” admits the scientist “Let’s both create man from dust!” “That’s brilliant!” says God. “It’s absolutely, fantastically, something I loved doing since the beginning of this world.  No matter what Charles Darwin came up with, and trust me, I’ve forgiven him for his inaccuracy about the origin of man.  Believe me, no man I have created is a monkey, that’s a different animal altogether.” “I know, I understand.” Admits the scientist with a trace of unbelief in his voice.  But to appease God he says “Paleolithic, Neolithic, Neanderthal, those are all stories created by some idiotic professor for the University, and of course to fill up the empty shelves in a library.”  “That’s fine.” Speaks God.  “I’ve given you the ability to imagine, and I’m okay with non-fiction and New York Times bestsellers.”  “So shall we begin the competition?” pipes in the scientist.  “For sure!” says God and He picks up a handful of dust.  The scientist also bends down and grabs some, when God very audibly says: “Can you get some of your own?”

[Jude Paul Fernandes is the author of ‘Frost Bites’ which is available at the Toronto Public Library.  He is currently working on a novel ‘Lonely in Mumbai’ and can be followed on Twitter @JudePaulFerns]