In the morning as I wake up I’m petrified to see Lukas staring down at me by my bedside. I scream loudly and he quickly takes a few steps back. He looks shocked like I’m the one who scared him.
“What is the matter with you?” I yell and throw my blanket over my legs to try cover up my SpongeBob pajama pants; he might want me to burn them.
“You can’t just sneak into a girl’s room unannounced!”
“I told you I would meet you here,” he says.
“I didn’t think you were going to be standing over me and watching me sleep like a creepster.”
“My apologies,” he says, “your eyelids were twitching. I was concerned you were having a nightmare.”
Before I had opened my eyes I was having the dream about Nathan again. I don’t know how Lukas could know this. I don’t say anything about it.
“I’m fine,” I say. “I’ll be ready in ten minutes I just need to change my clothes.”
“Very well,” he says. “I will wait for you in the patch of grass that rests in front of your home.”
“Yeah, that’s our front yard,” I say.
I quickly dress in a plain white t-shirt and jeans and then run out the front door to see Lukas staring out into the street.
“I’m ready.”
“Oh, you have changed from the trousers with that adorable smiling sponge man,” he says. “I am glad you have chosen something more simplistic,” says Lukas. He starts to walk into the street and I follow. “It’s important to know that in the end you cannot take anything with you. So your possessions here have no value and will be left behind.”
“That’s fine,” I say.
I had always been depressed by our lack of luxury. Who knew that none of it would ever really matter?
“So, do you not remember a lot of things from earth?” I ask Lukas.
“We only have memories of what is truly important to us. Any recollection we find irrelevant will disappear because we have all we need.”
I wonder if Lukas can remember how he died. I want to ask but knowing what he went through I don’t want to upset him.
We stand in the middle of the street. I look to each side and see no cars coming.
“What now?” I ask him.
“I want you to show me the people of the church.”
I close my eyes and Lukas transports us to the inside of the local church chapel. The pews are empty but the candles at the front of the altar are still lit.
“It’s Saturday, church is on Sunday. I don’t think anyone will be here today except maybe the priest,” I say.
“Then I will find us one of the church members,” he says.
As we exit the church I stop in front of the Virgin Mary statue and kneel on one knee to say a quick prayer. Lukas watches me.
“Why did you do that?” he asks.
“I just wanted to say a quick prayer for strength,” I say. I’m confused as to why he looks so timid.
“Do not pray to a statue. Pray only to God, words that come straight from your heart. There is no need for a mediator beyond Jesus.”
“I’m sorry,” I say, “it’s just what I was taught.”
“Yes, well it’s clear that not everything you were taught is entirely accurate.”
We continue to walk out of the church. Lukas takes my hand again and we both shut our eyes.
“Come and see,” I hear him say as I open my eyes.
We’re standing near a popular intersection in town and ahead of us is a street preacher speaking loudly among the crowded area.
“Sinners!” the preacher yells. “You will all perish in the endless pit of Hell unless you turn from your evil ways!”
Lukas and I watch as a man dressed in woman’s clothing walks by the speaker. He doesn’t say anything. He watches the man preach.
“Homosexuals are an abomination!” The preacher yells and points directly at the man. “You are a Sinner! You will burn in the lake of fire and God will put you in there Himself!”
“He is wrong to be doing this,” says Lukas. “That man it still full of sin himself.” Lukas points at the preacher. “He has no right to judge these people and he is making that man believe he cannot ever be loved by God. God knew who he would become before he was even born, and this never changed how much He loved His child.”
Lukas holds my arm and stares intently into my eyes.
“Zenny, you must go to the man watching. Tell him to believe with all his heart, mind, and soul, and do not be discouraged by the ones who are misrepresenting His people. As long as he puts God first and above all his worldly desires He will never lose sight of him.”
Lukas looks up at the preacher again. “And as for that man, he makes the Lord’s people look like hypocrites. Shame on him! Whenever they think of God they will only think of this man’s hate. If he insists on judging others as if it were his job, then he will be judged harshly for all his actions as well. Go and stop him. Tell him to go now and to only preach God’s words when he is free of sin and hate.”
Lukas lets my arm go and nudges me towards the people. I stand still, frozen and terrified. “Go Zenny. Do not be afraid,” says Lukas, “He is with you.”
I look ahead of me and decide to accept the challenge. This whole idea of faith must be tested just like any new influence. I walk slowly and steadily to the two men. I’m tempted to turn away but then I remember that this is what God wants me to do. So I keep moving.
“He is with me,” I say these words out loud three times and then my pace becomes quicker.
Before I know it I’m standing in front of the man wearing the dress. He’s tall and I have to look up at him as he looks down at me.
“Are you here to judge me too?” he asks.
I courageously deliver him the message from God and receive only a blank stare. The man looks me up and down carefully examining me.
“You better be for real,” he says and turns to walk away.
Then I look towards the street preacher who is still damning the crowd of people around us. He isn’t as peaceful. He’s intimidating and I suddenly forget what I’m supposed to tell him. The preacher notices me staring at him.
“What do you want little girl?” he shouts. “Are you seeking redemption from your evil ways?”
“You’re making God look bad!” I blurt out. Not as eloquent as the message I was given to pass along.
“Excuse me?” he closes the Bible he has in his hands and steps closer to me. I think I’ve made him angry. I clear my throat and try again.
“You’re not without sin and your heart is full of hate. You’re no better than any of these people and you have no authority to judge them. You’re forcing His words down their throats and now they’re left with a bitter taste. You need to leave. Don’t come back until you can say that you’re free of sin, and if you ever are you will change your approach to nurture those that are lost. Lead them to Him but don’t force it. Let them find the truth on their own or they will never understand.”
I have no idea where that came from. The words were spilling out of my mouth.
The preacher’s expression morphs from an angered scowl into a petrified pose. Then without saying another word he turns and runs in the other direction away from me. Maybe my speech was more effective than I thought. The man had looked terrified of my presence.
I walk back over to Lukas who looks pleased.
“Very good,” he says.
“That was weird, but great.” I look down and notice my hand is shining. And it’s not just my hand; my entire body is glowing like a star. I inspect myself curiously and then the light starts to fade.
“That was a small test of courage and faith. I told you He was with you,” explains Lukas. “And I do not want to alarm you but that was the easy part.”
Lukas reaches out his hand and places it on my shoulder. He closes his eyes and bows his head. I think he’s praying for me.
After a moment of silence he opens his eyes and his pupils look like they are made from a mixture of crystal and gold. His entire body is glowing like mine was moments ago. Then the irises of his eyes begin to glitter like the dust of an exploded firework.
“Your time is coming soon,” he says. “He is going to show you the truth. But first…you must understand what happened to your brother.”