How Close Have You Been To Heaven?

Have you ever experienced a moment where you felt something heavenly take place? Perhaps it was a wedding, a child-birth, or a celebration? It's those moments, which, in my mind, give us a clue as to what heaven will be like. The moments that bring us into the courts of heaven. Was it inexplicable joy, unrestrained praise, or even absurd forgiveness? I'd like to share now some of my thoughts of what Heaven will be like, the closest I have ever been. Hopefully, it will make you think of heaven, in a more down-to-Earth fashion, if you understand?

For the last four years I have attended Special Needs Camp, run by the Seventh day Adventist Church, at the camp site in Aberdaron. It takes place during the first full week of July, every year. For the last three years that I have been, I have had this distinct feeling, this quiet notion, that this is the closest I have ever been to Heaven. This year the feeling came straight back to me, flooded back to me you could say. Let me explain why.

We arrived at the camp just before dinner time on Sunday evening, and soon after dinner we had our first evening worship together. It was the first worship of camp. During the program, we sang the song, Swing Low, Sweet Chariot. It happens to be Glenmore's favourite song. Now you need to understand that Glenmore is a middle-aged guy who has Down Syndrome. Although he needs a good deal of personal care, his physical ability is good and he is able to function normally in that respect. He had been quiet during the coach ride to Aberdaron, and in fact, during the evening meal. (Glenmore is one cheeky chap, and so for him to be quiet for the whole day is rather unusual) However, it was a long journey and so we thought he may have been tired. Despite this, after much encouragement, he went up to the front to help out with the actions to his favourite song. But it was like he was lost in his world: singing, dancing, praising and worshipping God freely. I was moved so deeply that I felt like crying. He had no boundaries. No fears. No expectations. It was just him and God, and it was beautiful.

There were moments like this throughout the week. Moments of such sheer beauty that you had to stop for a moment to take them in. But the culmination event was the Thursday night concert, and the Sabbath services. Let me describe them. Thursday night is the time that every camper looks forward to. It's like the landmark of the week. The film of the week, which the campers watch on film night (usually Monday or Tuesday), is "converted" into a Banquet. The hall is decorated to look like scenes from the chosen film, and the campers and staff are encouraged to dress up in related costumes. Nevertheless, no matter what film theme there is, you can be one hundred percent certain that Scooby Doo will turn up to the Banquet! (Inside joke). The banquet is then followed by the concert.

This is a concert unlike anything you would have ever seen before.

Almost all the campers and staff take part. Honestly, if there is one concert which you must see before you die - its the Thursday Night Concert at Special Needs Camp, Aberdaron. It is the most awe-inspiring production you will ever see. I bet you! If you find somewhere better, please let me know and I will humbly correct myself (I am so confident I`m writing this to The Messenger.) The splendour lies in the campers. To see them sing or dance is like listening in on someone singing in the shower. They simply don't care about how good, or not good, they are. In their heads, and in ours as well, they sound pitch-perfect. They don`t think about whether they are better than the person before them or after them. No comparison. They simply sing or dance to their hearts contempt. All in.

Their act feels like true worship, and I may be so bold to say that the angels and God Himself are singing and dancing with them. Not only is that, but their joy during the concert is contagious. You can't help but smile.

I can say that, just as Jesus' heart was moved when he saw the cripple, the lame and the shepherd-less crowd, my heart was moved when I watched those campers giving their all. The Greek word 'compassion' literally means one is `moved in his inmost being`; right down to the depths of his soul.

Not caring whether they hit any of the notes in the song at all, or even voicing all the words, nothing mattered to the campers in that moment. It was like a release. They had been waiting all year for that moment. That moment of freedom. That instant where they can praise and worship in their own unique way, not wondering if Gary & Co may buzz in to stop them. Simply closing their eyes, and giving God their all. Singing and dancing to God. No fear.

That, I would have to say, is the closest I have been to Heaven. No competition. No expectations. No dress code. Nobody to impress. Simply captives Set Free. Hearts Set Free.