As my car crashed through the guardrail, the thoughts of a flaming death filled my mind. Would it hurt? What if I laid there broken but not dead? The ground was far, far away. Miles it seemed. I frantically tried to call my wife, but she didn’t answer. I quickly sent her a text telling her goodbye and that I loved her. Death approached.

The fall was amazing. In fact, it felt like the video I had watched about skydivers. The ground was still far off, yet, I knew the end of my life was near. This experience had happened dozens of times. No, I’m not the world’s worst driver—only a frequent dreamer of falling.

This time was different. In all my previous dreams, somehow the car and I seem to survive the crash. A ramp would appear out of nowhere to redirect the car, or a grassy hill would turn up, and I would perfectly land and coast down to safety. Not this time.

As the ground rushed into my view, suddenly there was a man next to me in the passenger seat of my car. Somehow I knew he wasn’t human. He sat there smiling calmly and casually said, “You won’t survive this one. Are you ready to leave?”

I said, “Yes,” and whoosh, we went out the windows flying like a blur to the light. Then, I awoke.

I was bummed because I didn’t get to see beyond the whoosh. As I processed what had just happened, peace descended upon me. If death is like that, then I’m good to go! No fear, no worries, nothing but a smiling companion who “Are you ready to go?” Death’s sting has been removed for those who know the One that defeated it.

I would have liked to stay asleep and view what others have seen beyond the light. Paul stated that he knew a man that was caught into the third heaven and saw things we simply cannot know just yet. John the Beloved was given a Revelation of the risen Christ that I read and reread often. We get a glimpse of what is next, but not the full picture.

I didn’t get the picture beyond the whoosh, but I did receive great comfort regarding the process of getting there, and for that, I am very grateful. In fact, I can’t wait to go to bed and see what happens next. 

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