You Can Go Now

The Plaintiff - Devil "This man has done nothing to uphold the laws of your country"

The Defendant - Me "I have done everything I can and could possibly do, but for some reason, I just can't do it. It's not that your laws are too much, I just feel incapable and powerless"

The Judge - God "These laws must be fulfilled"

The mystery person - "You can go now"

"This man, your honor, is simply guilty. If you can find anything right that he has done then I would not be here today", said the devil as the wrecked defendant stood near by hearing every accusation. "He simply is no good. I have been with him as a fact witness from day 1 and I can attest to the validity of the statement that this man is guilty. If your country is to be governed by love, then this man is an enemy of your country.

The Judge turned to the defendant, "Do you have anything you would like to say?" "Yes. I think I am guilty. I have tried and tried but I still feel like I am powerless. It is as if something is compelling me to do the things I don't want to do and hold me back from not doing what I know is right. I don't understand it and to be honest, I am tired of fighting and need help. I know your country has rules, and I don't set out to break them each and every day, at least not most of the time, but at the end of the day I know I do." The defendant replied in a defeated tone. He wasn't looking for empathy or a hand out, he was looking for answers as to what he was fighting against and also to get some rest from this struggle.

The Judge turned to the bailiff and whispered in his ear. The bailiff walked out of the room for a brief time. He returned a short time later with a man who appeared to be in his early 30's. The Judge looked at the mystery man and said, "We knew this day would come and it is here." With that the mystery man walked over to the defendant, looked him in the eyes and said, "You can go now." The Judge also confirmed the mystery man's command, "You are free". The defendant was befuddled. "I am confused, I can leave?" "Yes, go get some rest." the Judge responded. As the defendant was preparing his stuff the mystery man said to him in a calm voice; "I want you to remember two things; first I want to do this because I care about you and second I don't blame you." And with that he took my spot, nudging me from the pulpit and as he turned toward the Judge. I was confused.

The bailiff walked me out of the courtroom and I just sat on the hallway floor right outside the door. It wasn't a minute later I heard the gavel slam and the Judge declare, "Guilty". A short time later this mystery man walked out of the courtroom in handcuffs with a bailiff on each side. He looked at me sitting there stunned on the floor and uttered the same words as before, "Why are you still here? You can go now."