July 8, 2010.

Exit: The door shuts behind them as they walk away and fade into the distance. Before I am tempted to look back I hand you the key.  Locked.  The key will remain in your heart for all time. 

Now, it’s just you and me in the room. You, me, and the star.  Glowing in the darkened room, the radiant orb draws me in.  It is conspicuously resting on the carpeted stage where the worship team had been; floor to ceiling, aflame.

I perceive the room is open with no walls. You show me it is open to everyone.  All they have to do is step inside, flat across the ground, not even a step up, just a step in. Some pass, some enter, but you are there, inviting, waiting, wanting to lavish your love on whoever enters.  Once inside, we are alone again, you and I.  It’s a deep place of intimacy. 

There are circles of light within circles of light. Yellow, white, orange.  I hear the sound of circles turning, like strobe lights, or planets orbiting the sun. This place envelops me.  Here, I realize that beholding heaven is not a spectacle, like watching a soccer game in a stadium, or looking at the stars from the earth.  It’s an experience from the innermost vantage point.  In heaven nobody has a better view of Jesus.  I don’t have to look over anyone’s head to catch a glimpse of him.  And there’s always the invitation to come closer, go deeper.  There is always something to be revealed, and new things to be discovered.  

Every step is voluntary.

This place is so lush with light and smells:  lemon grass, the dense, sweet aroma of an orchid blossom, sugar…  And he’s there, always inviting, drawing, with his love. I haven’t looked at him closely yet because he rests at such a humble distance, waiting for my approach.  But, I see his white linen clothing and smell the fragrance of aromatic oils anointing him. This is a gentle, Jewish man, and He smells of bread and wine. 

There is delicious wine there for me.  He lets me choose, red or white.  After pausing, I choose the red.  It’s thirst quenching, like juice. It intensifies my warmth, calmness, and joy.  He invites me further.  The brilliant yellow and orange lights progress to green, and a shoot of tender grass grows out of it.  A lovely purple orchid blooms, and its scent draws me in and intensifies as I come closer.  There are delicious things here to eat.  

A cherry pie.

And now, it’s time to leave church.  An infant rolling on a clean blanket looks up and smiles at me with bright eyes.  She reminds me of myself in your world, Jesus.

I walk into the parking lot.    


Jesus?  He’s a genius.