II Corinthians 12:2-4
Never was Paul’s “caught up in the third heaven” vision so real in his life than that day.
It was noon. The sky was blue and the sun shone at its brightest. Boulders of white clouds hung weightlessly in space. Whitish-blue horizon adorned his far right. The sky was wonderfully beautiful.
Then, he remembered the rapture. In this sky, the dead and living saints would meet Christ. What a wonderful day it would be, he thought. His heart was filled with joy as he sang silently:
My hope is built on nothing less,
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness,
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name
On Christ, the solid Rock I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
Then, he looked down. Below, all appeared darkish-green with tiny strips and dots indicating man’s settlement. Pitifully, he looked down, watching the world of struggle, the world of trials and temptation, the world of sorrow. He wished he would remain in the sky, develop wings and fly higher and higher, never to return to earth. Consumed in his thought, he was unaware of how fast time flies.
“…The plane is about to land in a few minutes. Once again, be sure you fastened your seat belt.”
The announcement brought him back to reality. His work for God on earth was not yet over.
As height dropped, the tiny strips turn to roads, the dots turn to houses; the young Christian braced himself up, promising to continue in the Lord till that much awaited day.
-okenna obi-igbokwe
