Yesterday morning, as I greeted my icons one by one, the first words of this prayer came directly into my mind. These verses attempt to describe experiencing the presence of Christ during wordless prayer, in life, whilst dying, and in paradise. We can dip in and out of this experience until we die, but after death it will be all we know, and all we want to know.
Be silent before the LORD, all humanity (Zechariah 2:13; NLT).
Moses approached the thick darkness where God was (Exodus 20:21; NLT).
Golden darkness deep within,
Far from stress, and shame and sin;
Lost in worship, bliss and peace –
Rest, in life, with Christ, our Priest.
Golden splendour all about,
Letting go of dread and doubt;
Lost in rapture, joy and love –
Walk, with Christ, to heaven above.
Golden glory all around,
Free from pain, with mercy crowned;
Lost in ecstasy, we soar –
To be with Christ, for evermore.
Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever (1 Thessalonians 4:17; NLT).