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Now it’s just one dose of guilt after another. We just can’t seem to do enough for God. We’re already out

four nights a week with all that we’re involved in. I’m exhausted. I have nothing more to give.”

“Well, maybe he wasn’t talking about you, then.”

“No? Then why do I feel so guilty?”

“I don’t know. He means well and though he may not always get it right, he is God’s anointed.”

“If I hear that one more time…”one man started to say before he was interrupted.

The words were so pained, that I turned involuntarily to see where they were coming from. It was the

smallest lady in their group. She had been quiet until now, but the words exploded out of her mouth like a

dam burst. “God’s anointed, my eye. He’s out to build his own kingdom, and elders like you just sit by and

let him do it. It’s destroying me and my family and no one gives a rip.”

Some of those surrounding her actually gasped, their mouths hanging open in stunned silence. The woman

seemed shocked, too, by her own words. As soon as she realized what she had done, she buried her face in

her hands and began to sob. Two women moved to console her, the rest stood frozen.

I looked back at John. His eyes were closed as if in prayer and his face grimaced as if in pain. As he looked

up at me the briefest smile crossed his face. “Do you want to handle this, or do you want me to?”

“Handle what?” I asked unsure what he was referring to.

John tilted his head toward the pavilion behind us and the awkward silence that hung over the group as a

few of them began to open their coolers and pull out the food.

“We can’t just butt in.”

“At this moment I don’t think they would see it as butting in,” John said.

“You want me to talk to them?” I had a hard time imagining how that would happen.

“Well I think it’s for you to do, if you’re up for it,” John said with a smile. “I’ve got to be going anyway.”

With that he stood up and I joined him. “Good bye, Jake,” He said it with such finality that tears welled up in

my eyes.”

“Will I see you again?”

“It’s not likely,” he said. “At least on this side of eternity.”

“Thank you for everything you have done for me,” I said choking back my own tears. “I can’t imagine how I

would have survived all this if you hadn’t been alongside.”

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“It wasn’t me, Jake.” John said breaking the embrace and picking up a small duffle bag that had been lying

under the bench. “It was Father all along and he has many ways to do what he does.”

“Just the same, I’m glad it was you.”

“I’m also glad it was me. Now some others need your help, Jake, if you’re willing,” John said, nodding his

head toward the pavillion behind us.

“I’m willing, but I have no idea what to say.”

“It will come to you. Just go and love them.”

With that John patted me on the shoulder and started off across the park. I watched him walk away and

finally knew the answer to the question that had plagued me for so long. I knew who John was now and the

answer was so incredibly simple. I shook my head with a knowing sigh.

Then I turned toward the picnic tables still trying to think of what I could possibly say. At that moment one

of the men pointed his finger at the woman who had exploded in pain, “You should be ashamed of yourself,

Sally. Jesus would never talk like that.”

That’s when just the right words came to mind, something I’d heard a long time ago in what now seemed

like another life.

I slipped among their little group and as gently as I could, I asked, “You really have no idea what Jesus is like, do you?”

And that began another conversation and a host of stories I don’t have time to tell.

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About the Authors

www.jakecolsen.com

Jake Colsen is a pseudonym for the combined work of two long-time friends, colleagues and fellow-

travelers:

Wayne Jacobsen wanders the world helping people sort out what Jesus really taught about life in his Father

and in relational community with other believers. He is an author whose books and articles can be found

at lifestream.org. He was a Contributing Editor to Leadership Journal for more than 20 years and also co-

hosts a weekly podcast at thegodjourney.com for those thinking outside the box of organized religion. He

resides with his wife, Sara, in Moorpark, California and can be contacted at:

Lifestream

www.lifestream.org

7228 University Drive

Moorpark, CA 93021

(805) 529-1728

[email protected]

Dave Coleman has been a pastor and hospice chaplain but has most effectively lived his life as a brother

helping others sort out the journey of life in Jesus. He has taught extensively on themes of marriage and

living in God’s grace and purpose and worked as a volunteer in alcohol rehab. He lives in Visalia,

California with his wife, Donna. You can write Dave at:

[email protected]