My Sunday Thought for 07312016: At The Edge of Forever

The Edge of Forever

To stand at the edge of forever

The end of the path

To view the many wonders

Of what lay beyond  

To glance back, one last time

At that which has gone before,

Brought us to this point

Our history; our life

One more step to take

Into the great unknown

Mysteries of lay beyond beyond

And the truth of God

Lean forward, over the edge

With sudden realization

We already know all

And God was never a mystery

To take a knee at the precipice

And not be able to cry

The sound of silent laughter

Deafening in its empathy

Just one step to take, but... no

Many wonders lay beyond

Countless wonders lay behind

One more step...

Just one...

"I've followed you on many adventures... but into the great unknown mystery, I go first, Indy!"  These were the last few words of Wu Tan before he died in the arms of his longtime friend, Indiana Jones.  "The great unknown mystery" is something that has occupied man's imagination since before he had one.  How would you feel standing at the edge of forever?  Is your soul prepared for what comes next?  What if you don't wake up tomorrow?  Still feel prepared?

I have faith in God and in a hereafter.  My desire to believe in an afterlife is driven by pure selfishness.  You see, I don't want to die and find out the atheists are right, because I won't be able to be pissed off about it.  Better they should die and find out they are, well... nothing.  And I think if you don't pad your bet with a healthy dose of belief in God, salvation, and an afterlife, you either get what you ask for, or you come back as a fly nibbling dung off some elephant's... well, you get the idea.

I look forward to standing at the edge of forever.  I hope to do so after I live much more of this already so eventful life.  I want one last chance to rage at the dying of the light, and then I'd like to drop trou and moon the world before taking that step forward "into the great unknown mystery."  I think that would make a fitting top piece to my headstone, an old guy shooting the moon with trousers down around his ankles.  Kind of tells everyone what you were about?  If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything, show them.  But the truth is, I have lots of nice things to say.  I say them constantly.  It is the reason my mouth had been the bane of my existence up until I learned the concept of "proper comment at the proper time and in the proper place."

As for the next step, I hope to make my way slowly to the edge, gnarled cane in hand and fedora set rakishly on my bald, liver spotted, head.  My cousin made a comment the other day, that her day was great as she was "still on this side of the dirt." I identify with that sentiment each and every morning.  I'm already prepared to take the step, I just don't know if I'll ever really want to.  I suppose it would help if I knew what God's plan was for me.  I'd hate to think it's all about relaxing.  I'll go freaking bat shit crazy if I just sit around for eternity; talk about your own personal hell.

What will you do when you approach the edge?  Will you be prepared?  Are any of us ever prepared?  But this is just food for thought, and My Sunday Thought for this last day of July, 2016.

Editor's Note 

(re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card) 

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider another viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and then engaging in peaceful, constructive, discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning the opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we do afterward, and what we learn from the experience.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, and instructor. He is founder of the Congregation for Religious Tolerance and author/editor of the Congregation's official blog site, "The Path," which offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination.