ZION TRAIN: The Heavens Opened (Part 3)

The Heavens Opened (Part 3)

By Anna Rountree

(Continuation)


The Lesson:
Suddenly, we were on a vast shore line, but there was no sea. It looked as though the beach was still there, but no ocean. In the sand were all manner of red and blue children's buckets and shovels.
"Haven't you always wanted to build a sand castle?" she asked.
I chuckled, "Well, not really, Crystal Clear."
"Yes, you have," she continued. "Think about it. You've wanted to build on earth, and all of that is sand. When the tide comes in, it goes away. Even the tools for building remain longer than a sandcastle, for the tools are from God. But if you use them to build on sand instead of in eternity, what do you have? A waste of time," she shrugged. "You have wanted a sandcastle. It's silly really, isn't it?"
"I suppose so," I said quietly. I did not want to admit it, but she was right. I had wanted a home and financial security and to accomplish something-for God, of course-but I had tunnel vision for the life on earth. I had Christianized the gospel of the world and bought into my own packaging. It was a bitter thing to hear that the focus of my life had been fleshly and worthless to God, and that I had not gotten away with it.
"Do you want to play?" she continued cheerily.
I felt a little sick. I thought I would change the subject.
"Why such a large sand area?" I asked.
"Many want to build on sand, so we let them. It gets it out of their systems, you know. Maybe if you build on the sand right now, you would feel, 'I've done that.'"
"It seems a silly thing to do," I said stonily.
"Well, yes, it does. However, building on the earth is really the same: silly toys that are long forgotten here, toys that do not even gather dust in the attic but disintegrate and are totally forgotten here---a waste of God's precious time," she said much too breezily.
I had the taste of a copper penny in my mouth. "Is it all right if we do not play today?" I asked.
"Oh, all right," she said. "Do you want to join the tour?"
"I don't know," I said dazed. I felt as though I had been hit by a truck. "I like your name, Crystal Clear," I said acidly. "It's apt."
"Maybe a little rest," she said, as if she had not heard my remark. "Now, remember to come back to see us. We love you here; do keep in touch."
She held up her tiny hands, and I held up mine to reciprocate. Light came from hers into mine and knocked me softly backwards.
I lay on the air, as someone might lie on a gurney while being wheeled through hospital halls. My arms were across my chest, and I floated down the path like a patient returning from surgery. An angel began walking beside me as I floated down the path.
"Whom do you seek?" the angel asked.
"I thought I was going to see my Father in the throne room," I answered.
"He is everywhere, but this is not the throne room."

 

An angel began walking beside me as I floated down the path.

"Whom do you seek?" the angel asked.

"I thought I was going to see my Father in the throne room," I answered.

"He is everywhere, but this is not the throne room."

 

The Terraced Waterfall:

I had floated to the edge of a pool; I began descending to rest on the grass. The pool was at the base of a high, terraced waterfall. Lavender flowers and hanging greenery grew on the ledges of the fall. A fine mist hung over the pool, caused by the impact of the falling water.

"What is this place?" I asked.

"One of the gardens," the angel said. "It's peaceful here. Why don't you rest," he suggested, and then he was gone.

There was something soothing in the sound of the waterfall, something restful, but there was also someone humming a lovely melody. The sound vibrated through me, touching every part of my body. Then a high voice began to sing:

 There is a place where travelers rest,

And lay their heads in peace.

Returning to the Eagle's nest,

All war within will cease.

O Lamb of God, Our heart's desire,

O Truth in Word, Eternal Fire,

O Lamb of God, God's chosen Son,

Receive them when their race is run.

At the song's end, slowly a figure formed from the mist of the waterfall. I sat up to watch this unusual sight.

 

Heather of the Mist:

"Who are you?" I asked.

"I am Heather," the figure said. "I tend this part of the garden.

Sometimes the path leads beside still waters or into perfumed gardens," she smiled.

I lay back on the grass, for I was weary and still recovering from my experience at the sand pile.

She continued after a pause, "Do you wish to grow in spirit or in the natural?"

"In spirit, most of all," I said.

"Then cultivate obedience," she said. "Your Father loves you. I know that, or you would not be here. You would not have access to Him nor be able to enter these perfumed gardens."

"Tell me of these gardens," I said.

"There are many, each filled with untold delights. I suppose, being on the path, you always expect to arrive in the throne room?" she asked.

"Yes, I do."

"But your Father wants you to see more of His beautiful land."

 

The Question:

Suddenly I sat up, looking at her intently. "Heather, what do you do here?"

"We grow in God. Also, I tend this small part of the garden.

But we do not toil here. We live for what you would call spiritual growth." Then returning to the subject she was addressing before my question, she swept her hand in a wide semicircle. "The areas to visit are without end and beyond compare."

"I seem to be alone here," I said, "but I know there are others."

"Yes, but your Father is answering your prayers to grow and learn. He decides how each child should be taught," she smiled. "For you there is private tutoring here. One-on- one. Ask what you will."

"I'm so at peace in this place," I shrugged. "I find it difficult to think of things to ask."

"I've heard that," she mused.

I could think of one question only, for which I felt I already knew the answer, but I asked: "Do you have fellowship here?"

"Yes, we are happy. Actually, there are many of us around, but I alone am sent to you, so you see only me."

"Why are you called Heather?" I asked.

"For the flowers that grow in the midst of the falls," she smiled, looking up at the high, terraced garden.

(To be continued)

* I would like you to pray this prayer right away, if you want Jesus to come into your heart:

 

Heavenly Father, I come to You admitting that I am a sinner (Romans 3:23). Right now I choose to turn away from sin, and I ask you to cleanse me, by Your blood, of all unrighteousness. I believe that Your Son, Jesus, died on the cross to take away all my sins.

 

I also believe that He rose again from the dead so that I may be justified and made righteous through faith in Him (Romans 6:23). I call upon the name of Jesus Christ, to be the Savior and Lord of my life (Acts 2:21). Dear Lord, I choose to follow You, and I ask that you fill me with the power of the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:3).

 

I hereby renounce the power of Satan and sin over my life, declaring that I am now a born-again child of God (Romans 10:9-10). I am free from sin and full of the righteousness of God, in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

If you just prayed this prayer by faith, the Word of God has promised that you are now BORN AGAIN! (II Corinthians 5:17). Welcome to the Kingdom of God! Now you have brothers and sisters all around the world. This is the most important decision that you have ever made. Take full advantage of it. Don't go back into the world. The world leads to death, but the fear of God leads to eternal life. At each moment you need to live like it is the last day, and the last time of your life.

Four steps will help you to grow in faith and grace:
1. Read the Bible (I Peter 2:2)
2. Pray (Romans 12:12)
3. Attend Church (Hebrews 10: 25)
4. Share Christ with others (II Corinthians 5:18-20)