Readings for today: Leviticus 20:22-22:16, Mark 9:1-29, Psalms 43, Proverbs 10:18
Years ago, I encountered the idea of a “thin space.” A place where the veil between this world and the next becomes permeable, even translucent. All of a sudden, we can see into God’s world from our world. The dimensions of heaven and earth merge and intersect. It is the space of miracles. The space where the divine meets the mundane face to face.
I believe the Bible records such a space when it describes what happens on the Mount of Transfiguration. Jesus has just given his disciples a promise. Some of them will not taste death until they get to see the Kingdom of God come in power. Six days later, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a high mountain. Once they arrive on the summit, Jesus is “transfigured” before them, meaning He appears to them in all His divine glory. His robes become radiant, taking on an intensity never before seen on earth. Elijah and Moses, the greatest of the Old Testament saints, appear beside Him. They begin to converse. A cloud overshadows them and a voice thunders from the atmosphere surrounding them, “This is my Beloved Son, listen to Him.” They fall on their faces in reverent fear.
Where is heaven? Is it up in the sky somewhere? Perhaps deep into outer space? The famous Russian cosmonaut, Yuri Gagarin, was asked if he found God when he went to into space. No, he replied. I searched and searched but He was not there. Heaven is not a physical place residing somewhere out there in the farthest reaches of our universe. It lies in another dimension altogether. “Heaven” and “Earth” are simply different names to two different dimensions of Life. Death is the gateway between them. The dimension of heaven exists all around us all the time. In fact, the very word translated “heaven” in the Scriptures can also mean “atmosphere.” That’s how I prefer to think about it. We are immersed in it even though we cannot see it. God speaks to us from the air surrounding us. The saints who have gone before us are constantly moving in and among us. All of them waiting for the day when God finally brings these two dimensions together once and for all.
Perhaps the most common “thin space” I encounter is the one surrounding the death bed of those we love. Whenever a person crosses from this dimension of life into the next, they are never alone. They pass from the arms of those they love into the arms of Jesus. It’s a sacred moment. Many years ago, my mother was caring for her parents as they lay dying. My grandmother was suffering from end stage dementia. She had literally been catatonic for years. Never spoke a word. Never responded to anyone’s voice. She just lay curled up in the fetal position in her bed. As the end drew near, the people with her were startled to see her sit straight up, hold out her arms, and exclaim, “I see angels.” Then she passed. That’s a thin space.
What about you? Where have you encountered “thin spaces” in your life? For instance, did you know that when you received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, you were given the gift of the Holy Spirit? That’s right! At salvation, the Third Person of the Trinity comes to take up residence in our hearts! This means Christians are literally walking, talking “thin spaces”, mediating Christ wherever we go! In whatever we do! Through whatever we say! Think of everyone you will encounter today. How can you let Christ who lives in you speak through you to their hearts? How can you be the “thin space” through which God speaks and draws others to Himself?
Readings for tomorrow: Leviticus 22:17-23:44, Mark 9:30-10:12, Psalms 44:1-8, Proverbs 10:19