DYING

I had scampered with the other mice-men under the canopy of the earth-forest, nose to the ground in search of the next morsel, for such a long time. The forest, once fresh and promising, had become moldy, too humid or too arid; all the paths were worn, going to places I'd been before—not much there to go for. My soul began to shrivel like a nut buried under winter snow.

Then one day it occurred to me to look up. I'd never considered the Sun shining down on top of the canopy. It dawned in me that I had not done this: I did not create myself or this magnificent earth-forest. When I looked deeply into myself and into the broad and finite details of the forest, I was penetrated by a deep humility, and in that spirit, looked up in open-hearted gratitude.

A shaft of Light shone through an opening in the canopy, and for the first time I felt that Light penetrate into my heart and begin lifting me upward above the canopy, above the forest, above the towns, countryside and cities, above all the movements, accomplishments, failures and establishments of humankind in all history. I was taken onward in this Living Light, into another transcendent realm where I began to merge with the Light in ecstatic love, peace and freedom that were perfect and yet growing. The only shadow in this Light was a certain sorrow in my heart as I looked down upon the way I'd been living under the canopy, seeing so many others still scampering down those paths that I had traveled, knowing, now, where they led.

But in this Light, even that sorrow began to fade as I was led to a Cross, and a Holy One approaching it. He invited me to come into Him, and I was drawn like a meteor by earth's gravity, glad to feel myself being burned away, like that meteor, in the atmosphere of perfect peace and love—becoming one with the Light from which emanates all light. I still felt the heaviness of my own sin—my selfishness and laziness and weakness, as I felt myself being lifted up, with Him, on the Cross. I felt the blood, and with it my sin, draining out of my body. As it drained I felt lighter and freer than ever, with this ever-growing peace. I opened myself totally to this joyful death…. into Life!

And now, I am crucified with Christ, yet I live! And the Life I now live, I live by faith in Him who loves me and gave His Life for me. (Gal. 2:20). And now my path is like the light of dawn that is shining brighter and brighter toward the full light of day. [Proverbs 4:18].