Unusual Experiences
Bird's Eye View
I was 11 years old. My family and I were at church on a Sunday morning. The building was a tall, narrow A-frame structure. We were sitting on the last row on the left side. The preacher or worship leader would have us stand up and sit down at various times such as for a song or listen to a Bible passage read.
One time, when the leader had us all stand up for a pastoral prayer time, I began to feel very strangely. My heart started beating quickly and forcefully. It increased in speed until my heart was racing faster than I thought was even possible. Suddenly, it STOPPED. Instantly, I found myself moving upwards to the very top of the ceiling. I could look down and see everything in the church building. I saw my family. I saw everyone standing. I saw my own body, still standing. I quickly descended and returned to my body which fell backwards into the seat. This all was in a moment or two. My heart resumed working but at a fairly fast pace which eventually decreased to normal.
I don't think I have ever been outside of my body in the 50+ years since then. If I were making this story up, I would do it every week, not once a century. Did my heart really stop? If so, are we required to leave our body and this earth instantly? I have wondered if the spirit of a person hangs around for a few days after dying. This odd experience seems to say to me that we are ushered into our eternal residence immediately.
Jesus tells of a man who died and opened his eyes and found himself in a terrible place from which there was no hope of leaving (Luke 16:19-23). When our end comes, which could be as quickly as the next heartbeat that never comes, we will have no opportunity to get ready. We have to BE ready. You must trust in Jesus as God's only approved sacrifice NOW. The next breath could be too late.
Jan 5, 2023