Pure Opulence

"Lord, in case You can't find me, I'm at The Cloister on Sea Island."

Yes, that's correct; I felt the need to clue the Maker of the universe in as to my whereabouts. Never have I experienced such opulence in my life. Never have I felt so out of place. Completely out of my league! Totally out of my element. I could not have been more bug-eyed if I had been on the Titanic. But I wasn't about to waste this opportunity; so while my husband was in his meeting, I decided to take a self-guided tour. I opened doors and walked in empty rooms begging for occupancy. I took pictures of the chair in which Pres. George W. Bush sat as he gathered with other world leaders around the round table at the G-8 Summit in 2004. I touched the maple doors and marvelled at the oil paintings and gorgeous draperies. I imagined playing the grand piano on the stage in the small ballroom, and I envisioned dancing under the gigantic crystal chandelier in the larger one. I lingered in the library and fingered more than one of the books. And the business center was more like a bank president's office complete with leather chairs! And I thought I had quite literally died and gone to heaven when I entered the lobby.

At first, I kept my camera hidden and just brought it out for quick moments to snap a shot. But then I lost all sense of propriety and wrapped the strap around my wrist and became a tourist. (At least at this point, I didn't have my nametag hanging around my neck!) I finally settled on the soft couch in the large solarium with a huge arrangment of numerous orchids behind me. And to the sound of water spilling in the fountain and the live colorful birds in their cages chattering, I pulled out my book and read this: "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away."

Yep, folks. As grand as all this is, it will not last. It will all pass away. But in its place will be something far more grand: a city whose foundation will be adorned with all kinds of precious stones. Jasper, sapphire, chalcedony, emerald, sardonyx, sardius, chrysolite, beryl, topaz, chrysoprase, jacinth, and amethyst. The doors will be made of pearl, and the streets will be pure gold. And in the middle will sit One whose robe is dipped in blood and whose name is called the Word of God -- and He will never pass away.

Now that, my friends, will not be an ordinary moment. Hallelujah, praise the Lamb!