The Outer-Edge-Of-Things

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"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him" (1John 2:15).

A few years ago I came across a delightful little book called The Uncrowned King, written in 1910 by American author Harold Bell Wright. It's a story about a young man named Hadji, who travels across the Desert of Facts to the Temple of Truth, located on the Outer-Edge-Of-Things; where an angelic Guardian named Thyself tells him a remarkable story about the Uncrowned King. If you can find a copy, it is well worth snagging.

Upon Hadji's arrival at the Temple, the Guardian gently inquires, "Is there anything you would ask Thyself?"

"Yes," Hadji answers, "Tell me why the journey is so long, and the Temple of Truth is here on the Outer-Edge-Of-Things."

And Thyself answered clearly, "He who lives always within Things can never worship in Truth. Eyes blinded by the fog of Things cannot see Truth. Ears deafened by the din of Things cannot hear Truth. Brains bewildered by the whirl of Things cannot think Truth. Hearts deadened by the weight of Things cannot feel Truth. Throats choked by the dust of Things cannot speak Truth. Therefore, O Hadji, is the Temple of Truth here on the Outer-Edge-Of-Things."

After a brief pause, Thyself then asked, "Found you no bones in the desert?"

Hadji replied, "I saw the desert white with bones."

"And the hands of the dead?" asked Thyself.

"The hands of the dead held fast to their treasures," Hadji replied, "held fast to their Wealth of Traditions, to their Holy Prejudices, to the Sacred Opinions, Customs, Favors and Honors of Men."

Then the Guardian stepped aside and Hadji, with head bowed in reverence, crossed the threshold and passed through the high arched doorway into the sacred corridors of the Temple of Truth.

Interesting, don't you think, that the question God asked Moses in the desert at the Burning Bush was, "What's that in your hand?" (Exodus 4:2). Are you holding on to any Thing that would keep you from worshipping in the Temple of Truth?
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