Nick tossed and turned in bed. He couldn’t get back to sleep again. He looked at the clock across the room. It was 3:00 am. He didn’t even know what had woken him, but once again he found himself awake when he should have been sleeping. The more he thought about sleeping, the more awake he seemed to become. After 45 minutes of trying to fall back asleep, he decided to try praying.
Nick was no stranger to prayer. In fact, he dedicated time every day to praying with God. Lately, though, he found himself distracted and depressed. He always seemed to find his thoughts wandering back to his good friend Russell. Russell had been killed in a motorcycle accident 8 weeks ago. When Nick heard the news, he felt as if someone had just kicked him in the gut, leaving him painfully wounded.
Nick tried to imagine what heaven might be like for Russell. He just couldn’t picture it. First of all, Russell was just a soul. No body. What was that like? Secondly, he couldn’t imagine Russell just singing praises day and night. Russell was a good guy, but he also loved adventure. Would heaven be too boring for him? Nick looked at the clock again. It was 3:55 am. Nick tried to imagine what heaven could be like—and that’s when it happened.
Nick clearly heard a voice in his mind, “Come, let me show you.” Nick did not “see” anyone, yet he felt a “presence”. Nick rose from his bed quickly, at least part of him did. Only Nick’s soul followed the voice. An instant later Nick found himself soaring over an ocean. Without speaking words, Nick knew to follow the voice’s instructions.
Together they were diving towards the ocean at an incredible speed, and just before hitting the water they leveled out. Nick was “flying” an inch above the water. It was incredible! He was moving so fast, yet he noticed everything. The water was a deep sapphire blue. It was so clear, he could see to the bottom, and all the exotic fish swimming at the different depths. Large, colorful birds flew above and next to him. The wind rushed by as cool sprays from the waves crashed just beneath him. Nick could hear voices singing, “Praise the Lord!” and Nick began singing as well! He could feel God’s love growing inside him, filling him completely. He had never experienced anything like this before! It was exhilarating! He never felt so alive in his life! Nick was so aware of the goodness of God! It was so clear, so obvious, so amazing! He sang louder and louder as joy consumed him. He was laughing and singing and crying all at the same time!
Then without warning, the voice said, "It's time to return."
Nick pleaded, “Please let me stay here. I never want to leave! Please, please let me sing more praises to God!"
“I’m sorry,” said the voice. “It is not your time yet.” In an instant, Nick could feel his pillow under his head, his blanket across his body. His body. He had a body again. Nick looked across the darkened room to his alarm clock. It was 3:56 am. Only a minute had gone by. Nick smiled as he realized that one minute in eternity completely surpassed all the minutes he had experienced during his lifetime. He thought about his good friend Russell and smiled. Nick knew that Russell was experiencing the most incredible adventure ever! Nick knew without any doubts that Russell was completely happy and completely loved.
Just before falling asleep, Nick heard that incredible song in his head. He fell asleep singing, “Praise the Lord!”
-Susan
