Treasure chests

photo source

I was drifting off to sleep a few nights ago,

as I  drifted between sleep and wake,

I found Jesus waiting for me in a dream like vision.

He held my hand and took the lead.

I found myself in a darkened place,

that looked like an old wooden cellar,

with 2 inter joining  rooms.

We were standing facing a wall,

dark and laden with treasure chests,

on shelves made of wood.

These chests were old,

tatty looking,

covered in cobwebs.

I knew I was in heaven,

somewhere,

being shown something of importance.

I knew that these chests,

represented peoples lives.

I questioned,

"Are these humble lives of your saints?"

"No, these are not."

Jesus replied.

"Here, things are a little different.

Whoever finds his life ( on earth) will lose it,

 and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."

I looked closely at the small chests, 

as I did my eyes had the ability to see within 

each chest.

I saw a young man,

late 30's roughly,

I saw tall city buildings,

i heard the noise of busy traffic below,

I watched him,

in his grey tailored suit,

clutch at his hair and 

pull his head toward his chest.

I heard his thoughts race,

his stress levels rise,

the spin and pull,

tug and push,

I saw money,

swimming around in his mind,

it was causing him great anguish.

I saw his friends, 

speak about his early,

stress related death.

I looked at Jesus,

sadness filled my mind.

He remained motionless,

acknowledging my mental pause,

then he lifted his chin a little,

motioning me to look into another box.

My eyes fell upon a box,

not far from the one I had just studied,

It pulled me in,

like a cinematic screen..

This time a woman,

also not that old,

A wild crazy red head,

tight bouncy curls,

red lipstick,

I watched her throw her head back in laughter.

Around her,

circling like a whirlwind,

were expensive items,

handbags,

shoes,

expensive trips,

beauty therapy,

cocktail parties,

laughter,

city lights,

lavish living,

selfishness,

but when the end came,

there was only silence.

The laughter ceased,

the items dropped to the floor

like they were made of lead.

A loud crash.

Then nothing.

My head turned quickly, 

to face Jesus.

There was something terribly unnerving,

 about the content of these boxes.

He turned and walked into the adjoining 

room.

In here were two opposing walls.

On the left, also in the dark, 

were shelves of neatly stored medium sized boxes.

These boxes looked less damaged and 

slightly more presentable.

But Jesus was not looking at those.

His attentions were turned to the shelves,

 on the right hand side of the room.

photo source

These chests were lined up,

on the shelves, but there was such energy within them.

There was a strange sense of community amongst them,

that I could not quite decipher.

I knew at once, that these were 

the lives of people who had lived for Jesus.

I heard children,

mothers,

families,

communities.

I saw nations,

living as one,

mixed races,

eating from the same table,

Women laughing,

with 

JOY.

Serving one another 

in 

LOVE.

"God...

I whispered, 

feeling the awe of his presence fill that room.

Which chest am I?"

Which Chest are you?

Matthew 6:21 

'For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also'