Ephrem Endale : Contributer
I think it’s time for some ‘conversation with God;’ (with apologies to Neale Donald Walsch.) Look one wouldn’t be blamed if for turning the house upside down trying to find your second grade geography exercise book. “Euphrates! Where the hell is that! Yes that has been the ‘top word’ over the past several weeks you tube has exploded with all kinds of ‘End Times’ narratives some even going as far as telling the timelines; time lines which translated into words say something like “You know the ‘final call’ is just around the corner!” timelines of when it actually happen.
The Common Man: – God, I hope you wouldn’t take as me going too far trying to talk with YOU.
The Almighty: – Of course, in that part of the world giving me surprises by the tones I can handle one more. What makes you think I’ll misinterpret your actions?
C.M:- No, I’m not saying YOU will misinterpret things. Not on my soul! But God, YOU know all that Tower of Babel story.
HE: – What about it?
C.M:- Well I just wanted to tell you I don’t have the slightest intention like those guys trying to build Tower of Babel had.
HE: – You guys really know how to dig up things, don’t you! Anyway, I’m glad you started that way. You know, many of you have got this problem of presenting whatever you want to say clearly directly. Your first sentence is not what ‘it is’ but what ‘it isn’t.’ Do you get my point?
C.M:- Well.er…
HE: – Let me put it this way; First you want to convince your listener how they shouldn’t’ interpret your thoughts. Only then do you go to the main point.
C.M:- God, again please don’t misinterpret my intention…
HE: – There you go again. Why would I misinterpret anything? Or maybe, just maybe may I say you’re questioning my intelligence.
C.M:- “No! No God! How could I be so stupid!
HE: – Ok! Let’s forget that. You must have a very good reason for seeking my audience at this time when there are so many things I should look into. You know, you’re not the only ones knocking on my doors.
C.M:- Yes, I’ve many good reasons. God the world has become more nervous these days than it had ever been.
HE: – And why is that?
C.M:- Everyone is talking about the End Times. People think the prophecies are about to…
HE: – And sorry for interrupting. Could you tell me what I’ve to do with that!
C.M:- God, you are the only one who could make things go away forever. Unless YOU intervene half the world will perish with fear.
HE: – So it’s that bad!
C.M:- Yes it’s that bad.
HE: – You just said something about prophecies, didn’t you?
C.M:- Yes, I did.
HE: – Correct me if I am wrong. Prophecies aren’t something you could just right off. If it is prophesized, it’s bound to happen. Isn’t that what you believe?
C.M:- Yes God; but then YOU could make it all go away!
HE: – Well I’m not sure I have the power what is written in the scriptures. But I can say you seem to be overblowing even the slightest thing. That’s what you’re feeling everything is about to just be blown away.
C.M:- But we’re hearing so many scary scenarios we couldn’t help it. God, at this time there are so many prophets scaring us and telling us all kinds of horror stories it has been quite some time since we enjoyed a few hours’ peaceful sleep.
HE: – What can I do about that! You are the ones who have given them the status of being prophets and now you are trying to lay it on me! Not fair.
C.M:- May I ask one question?
HE: – You can ask a hundred questions.
C.M:- You mean none of them have anything to do with you.
HE: – Any answer I may give you would be controversial, so sorry. But you can form your own views.
C.M:- My view is that since what should be said has already been said I don’t think you have any need for more of them.
HE: – Maybe I should make you my spokesperson! Anyways, don’t you think your world has a lot of things that makes prophecies trivial?
C.M:- Like what?
HE: – In almost every place in there are wars. You are killing each other by the tens of thousands; hunger kills, famine kills, diseases kill, hate kills…what I’m trying to say is you should be worrying about these things rather than bickering over prophecies which might not happen in another thousand years. I think we’ve had enough; can we call it a day!
C.M:- Of course, God!
Look, call me a pessimist but with the complex and largely scary attitudes much of mankind seem to be having these days such an audience would be no more than hallucination. Over the past several months talk of ‘prophecies’ seem to be driving all other timely and serious issues to the margins. If I have anything about prophecies I’m not saying. What I know is unless this world gets back to its senses we needn’t worry about prophecies whether we believe in them or not. The reality is that this world is choking itself so violently talking about prophecies might sound like luxuries. What we need in this senseless world is a little bit of real sense!
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 20 NOVEMBER 2022