Alexander was a fairly well off kid, good grades, handsome and charming, basically any good quality you'd want in a person. However, because of this and the constant praise he received Alexander became quite conceited. He enjoyed history quite a bit and believed himself to be a reincarnation of Alexander the Great, a naive and asinine belief we know but strange things happen when you become full of yourself. Those bold enough to look past his outward traits were repulsed by this selfish and cocky nature, but the others he surrounded himself with were shameless yuppies latching on hoping some of the greatness might rub off on them. This however is not another publication to pump up his already swelled ego, no this a warning for Alexander and others like him.
The details of his life are rather droll and standard for a man of his stature; popular in high school, all-American sports star, so on and so forth. This isn't about the glory in his life, this is about the downfall and turnaround of said life because thankfully there is such a thing as poetic justice and people really can change. Alexander developed a sense of invincibility which led to some poor decisions, none poorer than his recent decision to challenge God. Alexander didn't believe in anything, but himself and squandered his talents on petty parlor tricks and clinging onto high school glory. He wasn't a proclaimed atheist, but by no means was he a Christian. At 23 Alexander was stumbling his way through college and slowly grasping the fact that good looks isn't everything, which led to his breakdown and disappointment in everything. It was at this lowest point though, Alexander learned one of his greatest life lessons...drunkenly wandering the streets and highways isn't safe you might get hit by a car which is exactly what happened to him.
He woke up not in a hospital nor his home, but in a space of completely white. It didn't feel he was dead or alive, the feeling was indescribable it was just nothing. There was no taste, smell, touch, or sound yet. Alexander wandered around the area and hearing no sound of footsteps despite his running he began to panic frantically searching for answers. It was in this panic that Alexander suddenly felt a presence and a hand on his shoulder accompanied by a voice telling him to be still. He wheeled around ready to confront this person, but found no one and nothing still. Sighing dejectedly he sat down contemplating his situation when the voice came back to him.
"Have you found the answers you seek yet?"
"Of course not! I'm the only one here how am I supposed to find answers to anything?"
"Have you stopped to ask anything though?"
"Well..." he looked down at his feet, "No, I figured I'd find out on my own."
"You were never alone Alexander, I've been with you the entire time."
"Then why the hell didn't you help me?"
"Because you never asked."
Alexander was about to respond, but withdrew it and began fuming. Whatever this place was he was going to get out of it with or without the voices help.
"Without Me, it will only make your journey that much harder Alexander."
"Yeah how so?...Wait how did you read my thoughts?"
There was a soft chuckle that echoed in the nothing before the voice responded, "I know more than you can imagine child."
"Hmph...So what you're like God or something?"
"A very keen observation, finally using that intelligence I gave you." There was another chuckle.
"OK Great...Am I dead then and this is some sort of listing of my sins or what's the point here?"
"Based on your actions if you were dead we wouldn't be talking, this is just a concerned Father having a talk with one of his sons."
"That's...that's uh something I guess, but how do I know you're not just some apparition of my guilty conscious trying to atone?
"Does that matter?"
"Of course, it's a question of your existence, if you're not real then why bother listening to you?"
"If you have already rejected my existence don't you think I would be gone now?"
"I guess....but still prove you're God then."
"Now now Alexander Luke 4:12 'Jesus answered, "It says: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"
"Yeah yeah, of course you pull the bible excuse."
"Well it is my word, only fair I would say."
"Fine then...what's my purpose here? Some life changing epiphany?"
"If it comes to that. I'm just concerned as to why you are selfishly wasting yourself Alexander?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"Instead of using the things I gave you for a better purpose, you manipulate and use them to glorify yourself."
"OK so I'll do more volunteer work does that mean I get to go now?" Alexander's tone and posture had become more defensive.
"It's not as simple as giving a weekend or two to the soup kitchen Alexander, this issue goes deeper than that."
"Then what do you want from me?"
"I want peace for you my son."
"Oh yeah? Then why wait until I have this apparent accident to give me my big epiphany?"
"I cannot help those who do not seek me."
"Tch...what a cop out."
"If it is such a cop out then tell me Alexander, do you blindly help those who do not ask? Would you help someone who tossed aside the gifts you gave him and turned his back to you?"
"N...No but you abandoned me!"
"When? On the nights of drunk driving? Alexander I have always been guiding you despite your scornful attitude."
"So am I supposed to go to church every Sunday, join some support groups?"
"Live your life as I intended for you."
"What does that mean?"
Alexander's question went unanswered as it lingered in the air and he felt the presence leave the area. He sat in silence for a few moments before he then felt himself fading out of the area. Expecting to hear the sounds of beeps and rhythmic rushing of feet as nurses hustle down hallways, but all he heard was the car horns outside and Maury on his TV. He sat up in a violent and wild flail expecting soreness and stitches, but again found nothing out of the ordinary. Alexander got up searching for some calendar, the last he remember it was June 22 and today was....June 23 only a night had passed? He shook his head getting a headache from the pounding ideas swirling in his head. Was any of that real? What happened last night, was he hit by a car or not? Maybe this was just some sort of premonition or something crazy like that, but enough of the ideas he thought and with that decision he headed outside expecting the air to calm him down. He trotted down the stairs finding a much better surprise than just air, his neighbor Hannah. Hannah was a pleasant girl of no outstanding features who also happened to have a crush on Alexander. She would invite him to things like bowling or church just to be near him, but Alexander always had a crafty response to wriggle out of it. I mean how could Alexander let himself be seen with such a girl, but he certainly wasn't mean enough to reject. But as fate would have it, today was Sunday and Hannah had her usual offer, persistent girl she was. He almost declined her again, but couldn't think of a pretty little lie. With his pride gone and ego humbled Alexander was able to see her for her and life as it really was. It's not a perfect ending as we all still have our flaws and quirks but it's certainly a step towards the positive.
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