An early morning flight from a dark and rainy airport into the light of early dawn above the clouds became a metaphor in my mind of our heavenward journey.
Upward Flight
Al Vester
Dark and gray is the night
As we first board the flight.
Then up the dawn sky
Like the first birds to fly
Up through the clouds
Those layered white shrouds
That hide earth below
And all that we know
Of old sorrows and fears
As we wipe away tears.
Then bursting into light
We behold glorious sights
Of blue, pink, and golds
As all heaven unfolds
Brighter still as we climb
Where the sun starts to shine
Appearing whiter than white
So intense is the light
As in visions of old
Where holy prophets foretold
Of our God on his throne
There all our trials are known.
Where our faith and our love
For our dear Savior, above
Allow his mercy to claim
And in great joy we remain
By His throne, we will stay
On this great endless day.
Gone are darkness and clouds
Along with death and its shrouds
Freed from sin and its stains
We will sing the glad strains
Of praise for the love
Of our Father above.
Life’s fog
So often we seem like wanderers in a dense fog, not seeing more than a step or two ahead. It becomes easy to forget about the clear, bright skies that shine only a few hundred meters over our heads. Nevertheless, our lack of vision does not negate the fact that the sun shines brightly above us or that there is a God in heaven.
Testing
Once upon a time, when the foundations of the earth were laid, we as children of God[1] sang and shouted for joy[2] at the prospects of coming to this earth and gain a physical body in the likeness of our Heavenly Father[3]. Much like being accepted at a prestigious university, we were first excited and eager to gain new experiences. Then, as the daily grind set in of homework, tests, and the obstacles of daily living, we are apt to forget the purpose for coming to this school of life. Living by faith was never supposed to be easy. But, giving up on ourselves and our purpose for being here is to settle for an animal-like existence. Such an existence is far below the God-given capacity that each person can achieve.
Capabilities
When men and women are striving to live by the high standards set by our Savior, Jesus Christ, they become as ministering angels to their fellow-beings, by tending the sick, comforting the lonely, the sad, and the down-trodden. The men and women of faith, those who truly live the principles found in the scriptures, are the salt of the earth making life for the rest of humanity richer and more pleasant. Such earthy angels are everywhere, seeking to help their fellow-beings without fanfare, but out of a real concern for another’s welfare. They exemplify the two great commandments, which are to love God with all our heart, mind, might, and strength and to love others as ourselves. Such earthly angels are in complete contrast to the emissaries of evil, who seek to destroy all who disagree with them or who block an assumed path to fame or fortune. The good and caring person is worth all the treasures of the earth, no matter how humble and common they may appear to themselves or to others.
Earthly Angels
In the eyes of most, I am not wise, wealthy, or well-known. My voice is only one among the many millions on the earth, but I need to rise my voice and declare the reality of God and the genuineness of his love for all his children throughout the earth. I know that God lives because I have felt the power of his Spirit, and even heard his voice on special occasions when I needed special guidance. I am nobody special, just a common man, but I know that God loves the common, everyday person, as much or more than the self-appointed pundits who find fault with everyone and everything. How wonderful and refreshing are the sweet souls who breath hope into the lives of their neighbors and friends by their genuine care and kindness. My life has been greatly enriched by the influence of earthly angels in the guise of common people. They have inspired me to live in such a way that, someday, I hope to be worthy of their company forever. Such earthly angels are trailblazers on the upward path to our heavenly home.
[1] Hebrews 12:9 [2] Job 38:4-7 [3] Genesis 1:26-27
