I cleared my throat, cautiously getting near the man.
"Good afternoon!" He greeted quite cheerfully, stroking Lex, "I love dogs."
I nodded -
"Yes, me too...uh...and...and this one is mine - um...come on Lex..." I stammered- there really was something about him that demanded respect. He made me nervous.
His eyes were sparkling, but were very intense - full of knowledge and experience.
I dared not look for too long.
"You're leaving?" He asked me, taking me by surprise.
"I...um...yes..."
He looked disappointed- that in turn filled me with deep regret.
"I'm sorry!" I blurted out, "Would you like some company?"
He smiled, nodding.
"Yes - aren't you here for the interview?'
That made me freeze.
"Uhh... the...the interview? With..."
"God." He finished in answer.
I blinked, looking around.
"Please, have a seat..." he invited, pointing to the chair opposite.
Quite shakily and unable to really do anything else, I obliged, sinking into the seat.
He smiled, seemingly amused at my discomfort. Lex on the other hand was far from uncomfortable, immediately settling next to 'God'.
I shook my head.
"Uhh...so...you're saying you're God?" I finally asked.
"Yes - and you've came for an interview after seeing my advertisement. You may have 30 minutes today, tomorrow and the day after to ask me anything you like." He nodded.
I raised my eyebrows.
"Yeah...sure... I don't suppose you'd mind me recording these interviews? For accuracy?" I asked, my lips twitching into a smile.
He nodded, granting the permission.
"And uh, there's not going to be an issue with this capturing your voice?"
He grinned.
"I'm a Diety, not a vampire, and as I'm sure you've noticed, I've appeared to you in a very human form. There'll be no problem."
"Hmm." I nodded, pressing record on my phone.
"So, my name is Rachael and I have come for an interview with "God", for 3 half hour sessions. Let's find out what the big man has to say." I spoke, feeling more amused by the minute - of course there was no way this was God, it was ridiculous! Anyway, God would have far better people to talk to than me.
"Well now, that's a good start- you want to know what I gave to say? People very rarely listen to me when I do speak, they're too afraid of what I might come out with. They hide their sins from the world - but you can't hide from me."
I froze, momentarily very afraid.
But I shook it off...okay, anyone could say that, including religious leaders trying to scare new clients.
I breathed out.
"Yes, indeed... well, 'Lord', would you mind answering a few questions?"
He grinned at that and seemed to take a moment to think.
"Well now, I thought you said you'd like to hear what I have to say? Don't worry, I'm quite used to it - people ask me questions all the time, not that they like the answers- but go ahead, ask me some questions."
I raised my eyebrows and mulled over the more common questions in my head that my readers might like.
"Okay...is God truly the only diety?" I asked.
"Yes," He nodded, "though when you compare different religions and scriptures, you'll find the stories are similar- just different names tagged on to those who are involved...its all me really."
I nodded.
"Interesting...so are you saying there's no right or wrong religion?"
"I'm saying that there's some truth in all of it, and some manipulation too - the point isn't what name you give me or how you pray...only that there's some level of faith and a willingness to connect with me."
I stopped for a moment, considering my next question.
"Christianity says that the only way to God is through Jesus - is that true?"
He smiled sadly then.
"Yes, the story of Jesus is true, and he is my son and he did come to Earth, spread my word and died on the cross, and he did it all to pay for the sins of man."
I gulped, momentarily thinking of the pain and humiliation he must have felt.
"So...if that's all true about Jesus, doesn't that mean only Christianity is the way to God?" I asked.
"No - religion is an expression of faith, a guide book on how to live a good life, and a submission to me and my power. The way to me is through prayer and sincerity, not fake acts to look good. That won't score any points with me. And there are billions of people in the world, and billions who have lived before and will come. You think all of them could possibly have access to the Bible? Even the story? No - and would it be fair for me to turn them away when they had no knowledge of me, or my son? I look at at a person's soul - what really makes them who they are- if they truly bare themselves to me, I will accept them and love them BECAUSE Jesus did what he did."
This took a while for me to process, and admittedly I thought that if this was true about God, then it would be a wonderful thing! Everyone could be saved, no matter what, as long as that person was willing.
"So...anyone can have salvation?" I asked, my lips feeling rather dry.
"Yes - but they must he honest with me and stop trying to hide. You can't hide from me." He repeated the statement from before, and again a cold chill of fear ran through me.
"Well, we can talk about salvation more tomorrow, if you like? Our 30 minutes is up - I'll let you know when and where to meet me tomorrow." He smiled quite cheerfully, patting Lex on his head.
Lex yapped appreciatively and sank into a play bow, tail wagging furiously.
'God' laughed gently at him and produced a ball from his pocket.
Lex was ready and the ball was thrown.
I instinctively watched it and Lex as he chased it, but when I turned back, 'God' was gone.
I gasped, quite scared.
"No...loads of people can do that trick...yeah...Lex, come on - let's go home."
