One That Went Before Me
Many years ago, a woman talked in front of our church congregation about a spiritual experience she encountered. Maybe a vision, maybe a dream, I am not sure. I no longer remember the details of her story, but it included real life figures that represent both God and Satan, and her own interactions with them.
Her story somewhat rocked our church people. I can understand how her experience sounded outlandish, but I remember being surprised at how people attacked her character. Some suggested she lacked mental stability. Others thought she simply sought attention. And others suggested she really didn’t know what she was saying, that she may have thought her experience real, but certainly it had come from a dream or her imagination.
Even though I believe these “nay sayers” reacted out of fear and misunderstanding, their comments make me hesitant to share my own spiritual experiences. I fear their fear. But I will risk possible misunderstanding in order to share, partly because I feel I am supposed to, partly because I really want to!
My spiritual experiences at times come in the form of dreams during the night. I have encountered both the beauty of God and the horrid torment of the devil. This post will share one of the tamer, positive, more socially acceptable dreams, one that came recently.
A Dreamy Church
In my dream I enter a huge beautiful church, one that was built in this century but contained dark woodwork from years ago. Based on other similar churches, I would have thought the carpet and seat covers would be red, as often compliments the dark wood. But this church had chosen tan for it’s cloth accents.
My feeling upon entering this church is positive. Its beauty and expansive feel brought excitement. I stand at the back of the sanctuary with the building entry door to its left. To the right of the sanctuary is a massive staircase that runs flush to the wall and up over the sanctuary. The staircase is so long that I can’t see the end of it. I can’t see where it goes. But somehow I know that it leads to a form of heaven. Not the actual, real heaven, but a heavenly simulation if you will. Groups of people could climb the stairs by appointment and tour an area set up to resemble heaven. As if we know what heaven will look like! But hey, it’s a dream. And for some reason I know for certain that to climb that staircase isn’t an option for me. Too intense.
I had heard of the heavenly destination in this church, but I didn’t know anyone who had visited. I wonder what kind of people had been up there? The stairs are empty and foreboding. They call yet they warn. Then suddenly I see a young boy, maybe 4 years old, come bolting down the stairs by himself. He is happy and unfazed by where he had been, skipping and talking to himself. Why had this boy been up there by himself? But then I see a group of adults and children lagging behind him. They smile and chat with each other, very happy with their experience.
A Glimpse of Heaven
A church leader calls to all those interested in the heavenly simulator. They should meet in a certain balcony, one that contains a theater screen. I am interested all right, but that doesn’t mean I want to go up the staircase. Too scary. But I decide I want to hear more, so I report to the designated meeting area and find a theater seat.
I have bag with me which contains things incriminating. To this day I am not sure what exists in that bag, but in the dream I don’t want anyone to see its contents or surely I would be sent to the simulator. So I hid my bag under my seat and out of view.
I am surrounded by all kinds of people who also want to hear about the heavenly simulator- families, couples, older people, singles. The church leaders greet us with a friendliness that put us all at ease.
The speaker said a few words that I don’t remember, and then started a video on the screen in front. The video begins with information, talking a few minutes about the simulator and how it came to be. But then, without warning, it showed a scene from the simulator, a group enjoying their experience of a few minutes in heaven.
And I become mesmerized. The people stand on the shore of the most beautiful body of water, some wading, some just looking at the view. Kids run and splash and laugh. The sky in the background contains every color under the sun, as if a sunrise or sunset holds a permanent place above the water. And the picture on the water’s surface perfectly mirrors the sky, creating a feeling of a perfect endless summer.
While staring in amazement at the stunning visual, I feel a peace like no other. My body relaxes and any cares and concerns disappear. Joy fills my heart and head. Opposite of my fear when first seeing the staircase, I long to spend time in that simulator, to feel the joy of the Lord even if for just a few minutes.
The video ends but my peace continues. I can’t believe the intense feelings and I have to sit for another minute, trying to comprehend what I just witnessed. Slowly I gather my bag and stand to leave, but the peace that passes all understanding lingers, the utmost of blessings I didn’t anticipate that day.
I never do find out how to get a simulator tour, but I leave the church a changed person, even from the informational video. I need time to enjoy what I have encountered, time to bask in the peace and smile with joy. And possibly prepare myself for the simulator or even the real thing. That wonderful feeling ends my dream.
A Gift
When I wake from this dream, I can still feel the remnants of this perfect peace and I know God has given me a gift. Even though the idea of a heaven simulator seems far fetched, through it He reminded me what joy awaits, how He trumps all earthly concerns, and how we have nothing to fear when we rest in Him. And oh the beauty He creates for us! No one can deny the beauty He created on earth. Imagine what awaits us in His kingdom- the visual and emotional beauty. It must be unfathomable.
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