Responding to comments on the You Tube channel Off the Left Eye is a good start to my day. Reassuring people who have recently lost a loved one, or are hoping for God's forgiveness is a sweet task. I suggest videos to people who want to know more about the afterlife, and the bible, and God's plan for their lives. 

But last week there was a day I did not enjoy. The post that people were responding to was about how non Christians can go to heaven. The vehemence and outrage that came spurting off the page knocked me off balance. There were threats, and accusations from readers who found that suggestion blasphemous. 

It coincided with a day I was falling sick, and did not have the reserves I usually do, so I asked a team member to help me out. She was calm and not reactive. 

I was baffled by the force behind keeping heaven's gate locked, or at least with limited access. The readers threw their weight into informing us in no uncertain terms that they themselves are invited to the party, and non Christians are not.

 I thought about some of the fun events I have been included in over the years. Parades, goodbye celebrations, open weddings, church events, each found ways to widen their gates while still having enough places to sit and crackers to eat. It makes sense to have a guest list if you are serving a three course meal. But usually such restrictions are the purview of the host, not the other attendees. 

In an almost comical way I pictured myself as a bouncer, with my arms splayed across the entrance, eyebrows furrowed as I tried to bar the way for unworthy wannabees. Such a drain on my energy would make it impossible to join the party at all. 

How much more enjoyable it would be to come running into the throng, greeting old friends and new ones, being sure to express genuine gratitude to the Host.