The Glass God & Fragile Egos
First attempt at creative non-fiction at least 5 years in the making
I’ve had this unfinished piece on my mind since at least 2018. At first, I was afraid to post it even if I did finish it… But I’m not anymore.
As Pride Month comes to an end, I hope there’s a little cathartic release when reading this for the community as well.
If not that, maybe a bit of solidarity around how belief systems and their communities sometimes feel.
I hope you enjoy it! And thank you for your time.
The believers produce the fruit of their labor in the image of a glass god.
Sweating as they melt and mold the glass in its furnace. Focused as they finish the details of their precious child in His image.
The believers keep busy. Adding more and more layers of understanding to Him, slaving away proudly on Him to protect their own heads from harm and distraction.
But then she comes along. Questions filled her head, a rock weighed down in her hand.
Looking above the crowded barrier of believers protecting their statute, she threw the rock, asking the looming glass figure several questions:
“Hey! Why do people condemn others for made-up rules? Men wore heels before women. Where in the Bible does it say that men can’t wear makeup and women can’t wear men’s clothing? When did throwing gender roles on people’s looks and activities become a thing?
Why can’t we respect and be around others’ beliefs without fear and narrow-mindedness? Shouldn’t we be strong enough in our faith to not run and out-talk others as if we’re higher than them?”
The statue stayed silent, but a buzz began to erupt from the believers who headed toward her to respond:
“It just isn’t right!”
“You have to have unshakable faith in the Lord and just believe it so, dear.”
The crowd grew louder with varied reactions to her disruption: tears and screams as the rock plinked and bounced off the glorified statute, growls of rage from those protective of it.
All were afraid she’d break their image of God as they knew it.
“Our God is all-knowing!”
“Our God is a vengeful God!”
“How DARE you question our Lord!!”
The few willing to casually talk about her questions were drowned out by those who saw red toward the intruder attempting to burst their bubble. Others less enraged, but equally annoyed proudly projected the words and experiences seared into their psyches from decades of immersion of one life view.
An unbreakable spell unless they were willing to break it themselves.
She tried to focus, looking beyond the people speaking for the glass god.
“I want to hear from HIM!” She tried yelling over the bellowing crowd coming toward her.
And as she bent down to pick up another rock, the glass god–too fragile to be touched–was saved.
And the woman was silenced, forever.
Or share this piece with someone you know would appreciate it!
Or, you can buy me a one-time matcha, too. :)
Whatever you do, thank you for being here! I always love hearing from you.
Such a weighty post, Cierra! This God that at the first, separated water from land, just making distinction. I know a man, that was after this God; earnestly in pursuit of this one. He would come to certain conclusions about the one who is beyond our understanding, and conclude this or that. Then he said, God would come along and kick over this theology bucket! The nerve!
I had a brother that questioned the roles; pursued other choices and that did not alienate us. Yet disease and cures both, took him. I always try to make sense of that.
Always appreciate the discussion, Cierra!
Powerful words. Thank you for freeing them to take flight into the world.