A calm comes over the crowd as the stage becomes occupied. There is troubled anticipation in the minds of critics. A visual stillness moves throughout the building. Not a word is spoken. The newest occupants of the floor space are lost amongst the reverence. All eyes are on stage. Spectators become uneasy, trying to contain themselves. Instruments are selected from their cradles. With the lights completely off, everyone is guided by the sound of picks connecting with strings but no music can be heard. After the first progression the fader is subtly slid towards infinity. The instruments come to life. Red gels heat up with the incision of lights. The, until now, respectful crowd bellows with delight. Nothing feels this good.

With the same casual lean into the mic, that has been repeated countless times before, he speaks, “Cold hunters knife, washed in a silver rain”.

You know if we really cared about anything in life then we would probably actually become someone. If you look at all of the famous people in the world they care about what they do but no one really cares about them. So what would happen if we cared about other people? Would we still become famous? No! We would only be what we already are… Teachers care, but there aren’t any famous teachers in the world. At an early age you need to get your priorities straight, because if you want to be famous, then you can’t care about anyone. You can only care about one thing and one person. You!

So get up take your life by the hand an walk out of everyone’s life because you want to be famous and nothing or no one is going to stop you.

But wait, don’t leave just yet. Take one last look back at everyone your leaving. Now look into everyone of their eyes, see the compassion and love that is forming into a pool of water at the bottom of their eyes. Can you say no to that? I know I can! So I turn and know that with the turn of my back all of that compassion and love has dropped out of their lives right onto the ground in front of me and as I walk all over it with my careless dirty feet I harden because from now on I will never have any of it again. So I harden right down to my inner soul where my life once and finally begun back some 20 years ago.

With nothing but youth and a rock solid heart I head towards that open road in front of me and I start to take it one step at a time. As long as I keep my sight on the target I will get there anyway possible. No matter who comes along I will pass them right by but not without becoming stronger. I will use who ever I need to because there is no one as important as me. I am the best part of my life and I love me for it.

Soon I will come to the realization that I can’t ever be hard enough on my own but at the same time I can’t trust anyone. So I pick up anything I can that will help me. I am now 25 years old and I carry a backpack full of things I’ve picked up along the way. I’m stronger now then I have ever been and I know that I’m in the prime of my life with a house and an agent. What else do I need? Who else do I need? No one. But for one more appearance of happiness I’ll pick up a girl. A girl who is so thoughtful and clueless that she will never realize my intentions of using her. And by the time we are in out 30’s we will have fought hundreds of times, have 2 kids and with the result of the kids we will marry. But the entire time I will care more about my career and my fame then about anyone else.

Then finally one day you just won’t be able to take it anymore and then we will divorce and the kids will choose to go with you because they will know more than you the kind of man I really am. I don’t really care about anyone. But I will be stronger, with my backpack full to the top and a half full duffel bag in hand. I will be stronger then ever and no one will stop me from ever getting what I want.

At the age of 37 I will have remarried but she has already left me because of how controlling I’ve become. The passion that I will have for power will soon take over and before she leaves I will start to beat her. She will only get out of my grasp with a gun in hand aimed straight at me.

She is now gone and there is another bag, now in my left hand. I wake up every morning with $50,000’s more then I had the day before and wondering why I can’t find true happiness. I’ve tried alcohol, drugs, sex, abuse, work, and now am on the verge of killing myself. I am full of power and have all my bags full to the top. I’m the strongest man I know. I haven’t talked to anyone in my family for 25 years and can still see the look on their faces way back when they had the love and compassion on their eyes. I don’t know how to get it back. I’ve tried.

So on the morning of my 50th birthday I can wake up with fame, fortune, and despair. The control I have over the world is overwhelming even to the president of my beloved country. Everyone wants to be like me. No one knows how I feel. No one knows my pain. No one knows me.

Today is going to be a special day. I can feel it in my tiresome body. I head towards the bathroom and take a look in the mirror. I see my old wrinkled strong face staring back at me. All of it changes, I can now see a soft thoughtful face, with a full beard and long hair. I cock my head to the side in confusion. Who is this an? He smiles back at me, with such love and emotion, I get scared. I don’t know what to do. I sit down but the thought of this face haunts me. I can’t get my mind off of it. Where did this man come from? I cry out, “WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?”

Then He shows me.

I begin to weep. Tears are pouring from my face. I can’t control it. I don’t even know when the last time I cried. My face and hands are drenched in tears and when I open my eyes again I’m not at home. I’m in some strange yet magnificent place where I feel like I can fly, all of my troubles and pains are gone. I look towards this amazingly golden gate. Confusion and love fills me so much that I can’t help screaming and jumping for joy. I feel so young. And then I see Him again. He is wearing a robe as white as white can be. His sandals are glowing. He is surrounded by angels worshiping Him. I walk up to Him and ask, “Who are you?”

“I am the one you long for,” he responds, with a smile so full and caring.

I drop to my knees at once and begin weeping once more. I praise Him for who He is. I stand up and scream, “JESUS.”

I open my eyes and look around. There is no one there. I’m back in my room. I’m not alone anymore. No more bags do I carry I feel frail and weak but refreshingly renewed. My life has taken a turn for the better. I feel like leaping for joy and praising God. I thank Him for who He is and for what He has done for me.

I thank Him that I am only 20 and my life is not like the nightmare of a man who is rich and famous and full of hatred.

Thank you Jesus Christ.