The Last Door

The three doors leading to the outside world were each engraved, the first had the word “Fear,” the second, “Ignorance,” and the third, “Peace.” She turned to that one first, because thought she’d never really known Peace, it was a constant desire of her heart.

But the ancient, massive door was imposing, and guarded by several sword–wielding guards, all at least eight feet tall. They were thoroughly searching anyone who wanted to enter. Frustration, worry, judgment, bitterness, despair, and self–pity were stripped from each person before they were allowed to enter. It frightened and offended her they would be so invasive. The thought she would have to be naked to go through the door made her feel exposed and alone. Sad and disappointed, she turned her attention to the other two doors.

Ironically, the “Fear” door was more inviting. Though the attendants wore dark, hooded robes that covered their heads, they seemed pleasant, and genuinely interested in each person as they scanned them with a hand–held device they each carried. Whenever a fear was detected by it, a small screen to the side would identify it. Almost everyone had “Fear of failure” display when the scanner was passed over their heads, and every heart she saw scanned triggered “Fear of Rejection.” Instead of their fears being taken from them, as “Peace” had done, each person was dressed in custom–fitted armor, with special attention given to cover the most sensitive areas. Each was a dark camouflage color, so each person could fade into the background in the world, further protecting them from risk.

The “Ignorance” door was even more compelling. The assistants all wore hoodies, large sunglasses, and earphones.  She assumed they were listening to something you could dance to, since they all gyrated and spun from person to person in line. There were no scanners. Everyone was simply given the same as their hosts—large dark glasses and earphones connected to a small receiver that could fit into a pocket or purse. As each person put the glasses on, he or she smiled broadly, looking everywhere through them. Curious, she asked if she could try them briefly. As she put them over her eyes, the world became a kaleidoscope of living color. It was like opening the door to Willy Wonka’s chocolate room, seeing the world as you hoped it would be instead of how it really was.

She was surprised by sudden pain in her ears as one of the hoodies pushed earbuds hard into her head. She hadn’t asked for them, nor decided this was her door, though she certainly liked the glasses. But her objections fell away as she listened. It wasn’t music everyone was dancing to, but a kind of static, with a deep pulsing beat under it. It was strange at first, and she thought hers must not be working. But the longer she listened, the more she noticed anything unpleasant was being filtered out her thoughts. She could still hear the world, with all its problems and pains, but nothing bothered her as it had before.

Without another thought, she queued up to continue through the door. She was almost through when the glasses and earphones were ripped away. Recovering her senses, she was surprised to see it was a guard from the “Peace” door, confronting one of the hooded figures.

“She did not choose,” was all he said, but it was enough to make the attendant shudder and drop all the glasses he was holding. She was pushed to the rear by the hoodies, back to where she first saw the doors. She sat on the ground, confused and frustrated.

“Fear” and “Ignorance” were so appealing, both time–tested ways to deal with the dangerous, unpredictable world. But there was something resonating deep in her spirit about the last door. Despite the cost to go through, the more she focused on Peace, the more at ease she became about what she’d be giving up to have it. That Peace had rescued her from Ignorance’s own ignorance of her made her feel like someone actually cared. It made her feel loved, for the first time in a long time. She stood, and walked toward the door.

What she’d judged previously was not what she experienced. There was a mirror she hadn’t noticed before, which showed her as she truly was. The anxiety, self–doubt, and all the fears she carried showed in the mirror as huge, rusted chains, some wound tightly around heart. She almost panicked at the sight of what she’d been living with, and pleaded for them to be taken away. The guards were not rough, but exceedingly kind as they removed each link. Oil and wine were gently poured on the each damaged area, healing her inside and out.

Instead of walking through the door naked as she expected, garments were put on her that were beautiful, light, comfortable, but incredibly strong. Though they were new, they felt like they’d always been her favorite clothes. She looked down and marveled at how they glowed when the door was opened for her. As she lifted her head, there stood Jesus, grinning so widely she thought He would burst into laughter at any moment. And Peace took her by the hand, walking with her into the next part of her adventure.