God
The minister was the holiest of men. He would not let you forget this. The small island was blessed by his visit. All of his entourage said so. He warned the islanders about the dangers of lust and greed. The minister told them that even thoughts of lust (oh yes, even thoughts) made them no better than dogs. He was the holiest of men. His gold watch, gold necklace and rings sparkled in the South Pacific sunlight. His styled hair held fast, even against the strong trade winds.
His wish was to see the island and to meet as many people as he could. He wished to save as many souls as he might from Satan, who lurked everywhere (yes, even in this room). Times were dangerous and people were disappearing because of Satan’s followers. Nobody actually knew anyone who had disappeared but since the minister had said it, it certainly must be true. The minister, along with his large support staff, toured the island and they were given nice meals and gifts wherever they went. The minister had heard stories of the hermit surfer who lived in a cave on the far side of the island. The surfer led a simple life. He fished using the ancient techniques and rode a long wooden board. Though the people tried to talk him out of it, the minister felt that he must bring this surfer into his fold.
The minister asked a fisherman in his flock to motor him to the far side of the island in his Skip Jack 28. They arrived at the bay where the hermit surfer lived in his cave. The minister rowed himself to the cave in the dinghy of the fishing boat. When the minister told the surfer that he was a man of God, the surfer welcomed him, for the surfer loved God with all his being and wished to live alone so that he could spend his days in quiet prayer and meditation. The minister asked how the surfer prayed. The surfer answered that he surfed waves cleanly and got as deep in the pit as he could. The minister grew quite concerned and told the hermit he must read the Bible or forever burn in Hell.
The surfer was frightened and quickly agreed to begin reading at once. The minister personally signed a shiny new bible and left it with him. The minister felt wonderful, for certainly he had saved another soul. Oh, how he loved to sign and give away shiny new Bibles. The minister was tired, so he lay down for a nap while the surfer pored over the Bible. Shortly, the minister awoke and smiled as he saw the surfer reading with rapt intent. The minister bid the surfer farewell and rowed himself back to the waiting fisherman. They loaded up the dinghy and began their trip back to the other side of the island. After they had motored at 20 knots for about a half an hour they heard a voice behind them, coming from the sea. Swimming as fast as a dolphin, the surfer was catching up with the fishing boat. They stopped the boat, cut the engine, and the surfer swam alongside. He then churned up the ocean with his paddling feet until it seemed he was walking on the water itself.
The surfer said, “I have questions about the dreams and visions of Amos. Can you help me understand?”
The minister answered, “Come into the boat and let’s talk.” The surfer came over the rail. The minister continued speaking, “There are endless mysteries in the Bible. You could spend one thousand lives trying to understand it. I think you already know a peace I’ll never know. Go. Just read it and know it’s not to be completely understood by mortals.” “Thanks.” The surfer replied. “Now I’d like to do something for you. Please remove your rings and put them on the seat.” The minister did as he was asked. Then the surfer leaned towards him and removed his necklace and gently took off the minister’s watch. He picked up the rings and held all the jewelry up in his right hand. He smiled and said, “This is illusion,” and threw the jewelry into the sea. The minister’s eyes opened wide, then he started laughing from deep inside his chest. The surfer laughed too. Then he dove over the side and started swimming back to his cave.
Amongst the glitter, Remember You are of the ocean.
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