Shackles

Big Man stared up at the sky straining their eyes and ignoring the pain in their neck. By their ankle, a Small Voice said, at what do you gaze? The Big Man responded without looking down, God. Ah, said Small Voice, do you see Them? Him, corrected Big Man, and no. God does not reveal Himself lightly. Said the Small Voice, I suppose not. You look uncomfortable; there are Shackles about your feet. Yes, Big Man said, I attached them myself. Small Voice gasped, Why? For God, said the Big Man, It is what He requires of me. Are you sure? said Small Voice. Big Man snorted, God is only Good and does not tolerate Sin. The Earth is full of Sin, so I must look only to Heaven. My Shackles guide my thoughts only to God, to ignore Everything but Him. They bind me to Heaven. Small Voice thinks deeply, Your God is harsh. Oh no, said Big Man, He is Love and Forgiving. Said the Small Voice, As long as you make yourself Holy. Big Man agrees, Exactly.

Your Shackles look painful, said Small Voice. Oh yes, responds Big Man. If you wanted, said Small Voice, I could remove them. The pain may remain, but you could move about. You could experience the world which God made, the beautiful things, meet the people in it, foster Good. And maybe you will see God or bits of Heaven. After all, like you said, God is Love and Forgiving. Would God condemn for lowering your gaze for these? Even on account of Sin occasionally? The Big Man is troubled. I do not know. I am afraid if I remove the Shackles, He will turn from me. So they will remain, and I will ignore every thing and person in this earthy Sin place. I will only look to Heaven and think of Holy things. Small Voice sighs, Very well. But if you ever change your mind, I will gladly remove your Shackles. Big Man nodded, their eyes remained on the sky.

The Big Man stood immovable, neck cricked. Their Shackles grew rust as years passed. Big Man slowly became cold, and eventually froze in place. And only when Big Man was good and dead, Small Voice gave one last melancholic sigh and flew up to Heaven. They wished if Big Man had looked down for only a moment, they would see their Shackles only bound them to the Earth.