Almost Heaven by Chris Fabry

many seasons had intensified. I was summoned, given orders, and dismissed. But my questions surprised my commander.
    â€œI thought you would be glad to be released from your charge, if only for a season,” he said. “You have grown fond of this young man?”
    â€œI have grown to understand him and his motivations. And I have become fascinated with all aspects of the human experience.”
    â€œYou want to see how the story progresses.”
    â€œI want to protect him. I’m not in this simply for discovery.”
    â€œOf course not, but part of your fascination has to do with the way each life moves forward and interconnects with others. Observing how his friendships change in high school. His romantic relationships when he is young become much more complicated. The relationship with his mother. The political and social upheavals pressing in. The speed with which all of this happens, without those on the human plane being aware, is astounding, I would think.”
    â€œYou speak as if you have been given a like assignment,” I said.
    He smiled. “When I was given a charge during the events surrounding the glorious life and work of our Creator, I was even more convinced than you that a mistake had been made. I was built for battle. I was created for warfare, not protection. I did not want to become a human babysitter. Particularly in a place like Tarsus.”
    â€œPaul,” I said.
    â€œYes! Saul of Tarsus, who later became Paul. Being sent to him meant that I missed much of the earthly life and ministry of our Lord. I longed to observe the life of Christ, but there I was, watching this young Jewish boy at his lessons day after day, protecting him from an errant horse-drawn cart while the whole world was turned upside down. I could see no rhyme or reason in the assignment.
    â€œAnd then, after the Death and Resurrection—I only heard of these things; I didn’t see them firsthand as you probably did—my charge became vehement in his opposition to those who followed the Way. I had been protecting someone who was actually against the very One I had sworn myself to serve. It made less than no sense, but I was stuck.”
    He turned and stared into space. I could sense emotion welling up.
    â€œYou questioned your assignment?”
    â€œI did, and in doing so, I doubted more than my assignment. I doubted the One who had given it to me. But I faithfully protected him, though at the time there was little opposition. This man was doing the bidding of the evil one without the encouragement of demonic forces. But as soon as he met Jesus on that road, all the forces of hell were unleashed. I had my hands full from then on. He endured imprisonment and false accusation and shipwreck—what a storm that was—and discouragement and strife among his brethren, arguments and false teaching. I was equally as dismayed when he was in chains, thinking that I had failed somehow. I did not see that a greater good was coming from this isolation. Now, I understand.”
    He paused, sensing some concern of mine. When he asked about this, I replied, “If I were beating back the forces of the enemy each day as you did, I would be less concerned. However, he hasn’t needed my protection and watchcare either from physical or demonic forces.”
    â€œYou are restless, then.”
    â€œI am eager to fulfill my role.”
    â€œSo was I with Paul. I saw no rhyme or reason for my presence in his life before his conversion, and then afterward, the years of imprisonment . . . it made little sense to me.”
    â€œAnd you stayed with him to the end?”
    He nodded. “His last moments were . . . memorable. And though there was great pain, in the midst of that was a hint of a smile at his final breath.”
    â€œIs it difficult to watch the demise of a charge? For you, was it something you had to turn away from?”
    He tilted his head. “You are becoming