return to Table of Contents

Chapter 17
Journey's End

     After leaving the man in the cave, Leif found his step was lighter and his disposition cheerier. He sensed he had passed a test, one that could have stopped his journey had he failed. He had trusted the Source when no friends were around for support. The only thing bothering him was his concern for the others. He was sure they, too, had encountered the man in the cave. He fervently hoped they didn't fall for his lies.
     The next day he noticed the air had a slightly golden hue. He could see the summit! Great flows of golden Beat emanated from it. That must be the Source! He could barely contain his excitement and anticipation. The Source! The one that knows his purpose in life. The one he had journeyed so far and so long to find. Leif could see his path led up to the golden light. He saw something that increased his joy even more. Three other paths came together with his at the top. Those are the paths of the others! he realized.
     Leif climbed as fast as he could. He fairly flew up the last bit of path and onto a tremendously large field. The top of the mountain had been leveled. A huge sphere took up most of the field: a swirling, wispy, golden globe of blinding intensity. Leif could only stare in wonder. His Sensing went wild with levels of the Beat and flowing never encountered before. Leif knew this was the Source, or at least as much of the Source as human senses could discern. He had the thought there was more, much more, to the Source than what he was seeing and sensing. He was aware he wasn’t alone. Isabella, Devan and Kamiko ran up to him.
     "You made it!" he shouted.
     They had a joyful reunion. Leif hugged Isabella and wouldn’t let her go.
     "I knew we would be together again," Leif said.
     Isabella didn’t say anything, relishing the feel of his arms around her.
     But even as they embraced, they felt the pull of the sphere. They knew they were to move closer. Every part of their body tingled. Now they were just a few steps away. Leif and Isabella could only gaze in wonder. Kamiko had her eyes closed and her Sensing at full intensity. Devan had his arms extended, palms out as though to feel the light. From this distance, they could see three distinct lights near enough to each other as to appear as one. Each light was of a slightly different golden hue that formed one Beat. They made another discovery.
     “Why,” exclaimed Leif, “it’s three hearts beating as one!”
     With each beat the light seemed to go not only into them but through them. The Source spoke two simple words: “Journey's end.” They sensed deep within themselves something they had suspected for a while. The Source not only knew the purpose of their life, the Source WAS the purpose of their life. Indeed, the Source was the purpose of all life.
     Together they stepped into the blinding light.

****************************************************
It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. They were calling out to each other,
“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Heaven's Armies!
The whole earth is filled with his glory!”
Their voices shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire building was filled with smoke.
Then I said, “It's all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the LORD of Heaven's Armies.”
Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. He touched my lips with it and said, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.”
 Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.”  Isaiah 6:1-8  NLT

End of Part I: The Journey

next chapter