PARABLE No. 1
It was to be a marriage made in heaven. Alan was absolutely, unmistakably, passionately in love with and committed to Janet. It seemed to all who knew him that he had always been in love with her. There was never a time that anyone could remember when Alan hadn't loved this young woman who was now to become his bride.
While no one doubted Alan's total and uncompromising commitment to Janet, there were occasions when she seemed to be less than convinced about Alan's love for her. Sometimes it was as though she felt unworthy of his love - that it was just too good to be true. At other times she seemed cool and disinterested in his overtures of love towards her. Then, at still other times, she sang his praises with sincerity and commitment.
Pat was Alan's best friend and was to be his best man at their soon-to-be wedding. Because Alan was temporarily out of town in the days leading up to the great event, Alan had asked Pat if he would look after all the final arrangements on his behalf. Pat felt honoured to be asked to undertake such an important task and he gave himself to it with enthusiasm.
In the days leading up to the wedding, Pat endeavoured to make sure that no aspect of the wedding was overlooked. As part of what was involved in this important trust, Pat needed to spend quite a deal of time with Janet as they finalised the arrangements for the big day. Pat was often on the 'phone to Alan, getting instructions and making sure that all was just as Alan wanted it to be.
In fact, Pat spent so much time talking to Alan, Janet seemed to find conversation with Alan almost unnecessary. After all, that had become Pat's responsibility and Janet, strangely, was OK with the fact that she had limited contact with Alan. Actually, that's where the whole relational aspect of their friendship started to unravel.
As Pat spent increasingly large segments of time with Janet, he began to think just how lucky Alan was to have found a girl like Janet. Those moments of harmless envy started to become more intense until Pat would begin to fantasise about what it might be like to be married to Janet. Sometimes, in mid fantasy, Pat would be overwhelmed with a sense of guilt as he realised that Janet was engaged to his best friend and he must conduct himself in a manner that honoured and respected that fact.
But the attraction towards Janet became increasingly intense. Outwardly Pat behaved himself in such a way that no one would begin to suspect the struggle that swirled within him. Certainly Janet seemed oblivious to the drama that played itself out on the screen of Pat's mind and heart. She virtually failed to see how dependent Pat had become on their frequent meetings.
He began to carefully orchestrate meetings so that Janet became more and more dependent on him. And she certainly was so grateful for all he did. That sense of affirmation had become almost addictive for Pat. Finally, within the very shadow of the wedding day, Janet's dependence had been manipulated to such a dangerous and unhealthy level that she looked more to Pat than she did to Alan for guidance, support, and companionship.
Suddenly, like the proverbial bolt from the blue, Pat realised that he had virtually assumed the role and place that only Alan should have in the life of Janet. Drastic, decisive and immediate action was needed to reverse this potentially lethal situation.
Of course, the alternative that seductively presented itself to Pat was the possibility that he might take advantage of Alan's absence for his own ends. Could he...should he....now attempt to win the love and affection from Janet that rightfully and properly belonged alone to Alan?
(If, after due consideration, the meaning of the parable is not obvious - read John 3/27-30)
