A Controlling God

This is a work of fiction.

This work was intended as an analogy. Specifically, it is an analogy for my own feelings about our current world and about wishing for change.

I usually don't like to say too much about what I've written, so that readers can come up with their own interpretations. However, this time, I felt that the analogous nature of the story should be clarified.

That being said, I still haven't explained exactly what my feelings are (so as to allow for readers to come up with their own opinions and interpretations). So, please don't ascribe your interpretations to my feelings and intentions.



I had finally done it.

Finally, I was face-to-face with God, or our creator, or whatever you would like to call them. For my convenience, let's just stick with God.

There we were, floating amongst the stars, with the Earth far enough away that it looked like a tiny marble that could fit into my hand.

"So," God said to me, "what did you want to speak to me about?"

I raised my eyebrow, "Shouldn't you already know?"

God chuckled and replied, "Perhaps. But I find that it is easier for mortals if I converse with them on a linearity that they understand."

"Right," I nodded, only partially understanding their meaning.

"Please," God said, "go on. You've already come all this way. There is no point in being nervous now."

I took a deep breath. Then, I began, "I am... unhappy with the way things are."

God smirked - it seemed to be an understanding smirk, but also one that showed that they had heard this plenty of times before, "Who isn't?"

I stammered, "I-I don't mean with just me. I mean with the world. With how things are being run, with how people are being treated... With how people are suffering!"

"And you think that's my fault?" God asked.

"No," I replied, "it's the fault of us humans. The things that we do to each other - out of greed, out of lust, or even just out of stupidity. It has all caused... so much suffering - too much suffering."

"And what would you like me to do about it?" God said, "Take away free will?"

"No, but..." I started to say, "if I had the power that you have..."

"With that kind of power, I could change the world!" I blurted out, "I could fix some of the problems of the world! No..., I could fix all of the problems of the world!"

God raised an eyebrow and said, "So, you think you can do a better job than me?"

"No...," I said, "Not better. Just more... controlling."

"More controlling?"

"Yes," I said, "Under my control - under my rules and regulations - everyone would be happy! I would create a system where people wouldn't have to suffer anymore, and those that caused any suffering would be punished!"

We paused, and God seemed to be considering what I had said.

"Alright," God said, "here you go."

Stunned, all I could say was, "What?"

"I have granted you a portion of my power," God replied, "Go ahead, do anything you want to the Earth."

"Anything?" I asked, "I can restructure governments? Take away weapons? Make rainbows show up across the world every day?"

God chuckled, "Yes."

Excited, I turned to the Earth.

There was so much to do. I could end injustice. I could end unfairness.

I could end suffering.

I looked at the Earth. But, "How do I...?"

"Just reach out..." God lifted up their hand, as if to grasp the Earth in their palm, "... and hold it in your hand."

Once again, I looked at the Earth.

Then, I took a deep breath, and reached out with my hand.

As my hand wrapped around the Earth, I could feel my newfound powers coursing through me, as if I could do anything, however enormous or minuscule.

I could finally do it! I could finally reshape the world!

As my hand gripped around the Earth, thoughts ran through my mind.

I will make a world where human greed and lust won't be able to cause suffering.

I will make a world where human stupidity wouldn't ruin others.

I will make a world where the good, the kind, and the intelligent have their say; while the bad, the greedy, and the absurd won't be about to make life worse for anyone.

I will be fair.

I will be just!

My fingers wrapped around the Earth, and the planet was in the palm of my hand.

Then, I felt it.

I could see, hear, feel - and every sense that a being could have - everything.

I could see all the interconnections and all the interactions between everyone and everything on Earth.

I could see all the past decisions and the past relationships that led to the present.

But, most of all, I saw all the potential.

I saw all the possibilities - the good ones and the bad ones.

And I saw what all our efforts, our hopes, and our dreams could lead to.

There is greed and stupidity in the world; but, in that moment, I saw in us the potential to overcome our avarice and our foolishness.

I saw in us the potential to be kind, to be fair, and to be just.

I saw in us... the potential to make the world a better place.

My hand began to loosen its grip on the Earth.

I let go, and pulled my hand back.

"Changed your mind?" God asked.

"No," I shook my head, "But, if I want to make things better, then I have to do it as a human."

"Alright," God nodded.

I could feel all the power that I had been granted fade away.

I looked at God, "You knew what I was going to decide, didn't you?"

God smiled, "Perhaps."

I looked at the Earth again.

"Thank you," I said, "for letting me see the Earth."

"You're welcome," God said, "It's not every day that I get visitors."

I turned back to God, "Could you help me get back?"

God nodded, and waved their hand, "Until we meet again."

With that, I felt myself fading back into my mortal coil.

Finding myself back on Earth, I smiled.

I had work to do.