I dreamed this morning. In my dream I was in Black Rock desert, at the festival known as Burning Man. I was in the temple, observing a day gone passed. I saw a man walk in. He was seeking God. He sought the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He thought he would discern any other voice. Ha laid himself down in the pit, where the rhythmic chanting creates the bubble of environment. He immediately went into a trance, and had the most amazing spiritual experience he had ever had. He felt invigorated, refreshed, touched. He felt seen. It was heady. He got up out of the pit, declaring to himself, if that wasn’t God, I don’t know what was! Over my left shoulder, a crow cawed. And I awoke.

I do not know whether his awakening will mean death to self, death to his body, or death to his spirit. I only know my spirit is troubled, for he was deceived by one of the gods that occupies that bubble. The gate that was open in him for the deception was he was consumed with the need for now.

We are called to live in the now. But we are not of the now. We are of the ‘then’. Any experience that diminishes that truth in us will lead us away from that truth. Living in the now was designed to be an experience in constant tension, so that we would make choice after choice after choice that would eventually up-end the weight of the now. Hence, when our body stops, the weight (only weight is not the right word) of our choices propels into the ‘then’ of eternity beyond, upward we go and off time.

It does not mean we cannot enjoy the now. But when the enjoyment of now exceeds our long term plan for then, it is the soul reigning in the place created for spirit.

There are choices every day. Choices which, by exercising my will, make declarations that will stand as a witness on the earth. The now, or the then. Am I consuming, or stewarding? Am I acting as though this time is the only time I get to satisfy my bodily senses? Or am I in gratitude, experiencing life while allowing for an experience to come that is higher, and wider, and longer and deeper than anything here?

I have had many spiritual experiences. I have been awed, and undone. I have been wordless for days, following some. I am familiar with the headiness of these. I am familiar with the longing for more, especially in the place of desperate need. I grieve for the man, who was seeking the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. His determination to have a spiritual experience, present with his demand for the now filling, created a space in him ready to be deceived by gods pretending to be God.

I know the power of second heaven to convince- indeed, was convinced its power was greater than any other for years. I have no doubt it is compelling. But his outlook on living for ‘then’ has become subdued. His ‘then’ thoughts have diminished and his zeal is for the now stream of consciousness.

I opened an appeal today, in his name. I based his case on his honest desire for the Ancient of Days. I am trusting that the examination of his heart will yield more evidence for the court. For I perceive the enemy has taken advantage of that desire, and deceived him. More testimony will be added soon. Selah.