Reflections of Hell

It is easy to think of the grandeurs of heaven, not so to perceive the depths of hell.  Many of us are afraid to even consider it; that’s someone else’s story to tell.  It is much easier to learn things when you can relate them to real life experiences.  So, let’s take a cautionary stroll along the gates of the demon residences; many of us have visited this neighborhood before, most without knowing. When I think of hell, I don’t think of fire & brimstone, I think of tears showing.

I have prayed and asked what is hell really like?  None of us know for sure & our concepts of it are a bit more physical in nature, rather than spiritual.  That’s because we as mortal men & women relate better to what we can see, hear, feel & touch.  This physical realm all around us drives and influences how we perceive things…even things we know little or nothing about.

You see hell is not physical, it is spiritual.  In a world where so many have lost touch with any sort of spiritual consciousness, it’s no wonder there’s chaos in our societies.  With everyone trying to create a perfect world, we’ve forgotten whose charge it is to bring Heaven to this earth. 

Today we have protests nationwide for an ideology that would do away with most of these protesters.  Protesting for the civil rights of a government that doesn’t believe in them…yeah that makes good sense.  Just like their lack of common sense will doom them to hell’s reflection.

I have seen & felt this reflection, but I have never been condemned to it.  What is it like you may ask…well let me tell you a bit about what hell is really like, as it is spiritual…not physical.

Think of your worst regrets in life, just for a second…I’m sure you have a few…we all do. So…do you have a couple regrets, things you wish you had done different, opportunities lost, loved ones gone forever, investments misguided, treasures misplaced, harsh words & actions that hurt others…these are just a few of the more common ones.

Now, hold those aside for a second & think about what worries you most about your current situation in life…your job, your relationships, your next meal, gas for your car next week, where did I leave my dang phone…& on & on our work a day busy days just come & go, all the while consuming us with details, discourse, distraction & depression.  We are often so worried about accomplishing the task at hand, we miss the body of the whole picture.  For most in our society chasing the all mighty dollar for substance & success is a devilish distraction that eats at us from the inside out…rotting our souls due to spiritual starvation.   

The third reflection of hell is anxiety & nervousness.  Fear of the future.  Scared of knowing what will happen in our lives five, ten, twenty years from now.  What shape will the country be in, what shape will I be in?  And, what happens when we die?  So, so many are afraid, when they shouldn’t be.  So many fear death, they live a cautious life.  They are afraid of losing a temporary shell, when what is really at stake is their eternal soul.  Death has its pains, but they are emotional & physical, so we should not be afraid of death, for we live a spiritually led life where death was conquered long ago.

So now let’s put it together, these reflections of hell.  For lost & wicked souls lying in your grave for eternity,  this is your hell.  Constantly in your spiritual mind you have regrets, worries, doubts, distractions, anxiety & nervousness.  You never have a second of relief from these tormenting thoughts.  Your body wastes away, nothing more than a physical shell…but your spiritual consciousness will live forever gnawing at itself and gnashing its teeth in grief & despair. Weeping in depression over what might’ve, could’ve & should’ve been & happened. Your worst thoughts…forever!

Fire & brimstone, yeah, I know what you’ve read & been told…but that’s the physical dimension we as mortals can relate to.  Take a step back and realize Heaven & hell are spiritual dimensions.  One a Holy haven for the righteous…the other a demonic desert of the damned.  Be wise in your choice.  One has pearly open gates, the other poisonous snake pits of sandy serpent snares.

That’s a quick reflection of hell.  We’ve all been there at some point in our lives.  If you’re like me, I thank God every day for delivering me from its ravages.  I have my regrets and my concerns & one of my regrets happened around forty years ago.

We all have heroes and role models in this life.  Stevie Ray Vaughn is one of mine.  I lived in Austin, Texas in the early 80’s and was fortunate to see him three times in concert.  On the first occasion I pretty much spent my last cash to get a ticket.  It was a general admission front area seat, in those days, you could smoke in the corridors of the enclosed venue.  I found the general area I would be and decided to go out in the corridor to bum a smoke before the concert.  This was the front of the venue and there was a large set of double doors at the end of the corridor leading to the backstage area.  There were two guys standing there, at least one was smoking, so I walked over…and asked very politely if I could bum a smoke.  I was given one and asked if I needed a light, from what I remember.  No, I said, I have one of those…and I walked on.

About twenty minutes later the concert started.  Now I was a very novice Stevie Ray fan back then.  I knew Stevie’s look and sound back then, but not his band mates.  Keep in mind this is forty years ago, I just knew SRV was in town, and I wanted to see him.  I knew he had a drummer and bass player but to be honest at that time I did not know what they looked like or what their names were…yeah novice may be too generous of a description.  Anyway, the show starts and who do I see on stage but Tommy Shannon on bass & Chris Layton on drums…the very two guys I just bummed a cigarette in the corridor from & I had no clue who they were.

In the grand scheme of life regrets it may not seem much to you, but to this day I regret not trying to strike up a conversation with the two guys closest to my musical hero.  Who knows, maybe they would’ve held the door open & I could have met Stevie backstage.  It certainly is in the realm of possibility & I think about it at times, but I have soothed the ripples of the reflections I have of this memory.  The other memories I have of Stevie & the ability to share in his music anytime I choose, ease that regret.    

It doesn’t haunt & torment me and neither should any of your regrets.  You cannot change the past, all you can do is live in the present and be positive about a bright future for you, those you love, your country & this world as a complete and peaceful whole. 

Heaven on earth has no room for regrets, worries, anxieties & depression.  These evils will torment the wicked & denying souls for eternity…these are the reflections I saw of hell.  

Go in Peace & Love will Follow.  Gospel of Matthew Chapter 13…Revelations 20:11-15 AMEN