Have you ever thought about what your job is going to be in Heaven?

I asked my wife that question last night, and unflinchingly she said, “A singer”, and for her that completely thinks. Maybe this isn’t as deep of a philosophical question as I originally thought it might be. Maybe we all can somehow sense what our eternal profession is.

Of course, after she answered me she turned it around, “What about you?” I’ve felt this answer for years, decades even. Without hesitation I said, “I’m hoping for guardian angel myself.” For a second she stops, looks over at me and says, “That’s perfect for you.”

To look at me you probably wouldn’t think that. I’m not an Adonis by any stretch of the imagination. I’m overweight, have bad knees, high blood pressure, and would rather go to a buffet than a gym. But those that know me, and see further than the exterior realize that my heart is loyal, strong, and fierce. That although the situation may determine the action, once that action is set I will not be deterred. Besides I’ll have a new body in , Heaven, free of these pesky limitations nature and life put on us.

Back some 20-odd years ago, I would even imagine it. Standing there in a body drastically different from my own; from the wavy, blond hair hanging to my broad shoulders, the taunt, defined muscle of my bronzed arms wielding a sword that glowed gold and silver and the large, white, powerful wings extending wide from my back. In my imagination I took on demons of every shape and size. There was a small temptation demon with the body of a centipede, except with a long, sharp spike of a tail. The devastation demon that appeared as a large, four-legged creature with a body like a bull, claws like a bear, and the face of a lion. Then their was the demon generals; humanoid looking figures, swathed in voluminous black cloaks, and stood over 30 feet tall. Sword in hand, with the other guardians, we fought and defeated them all; dissipating them into rolling black smoke, and shunting them back to the abyss.

Entering story mode…

But, unlike the other guardians, which were full-fledged angels, I spent most of my time as a…mostly….normal human. There were three stages to this guardian thing. The first was to be able to see demons. As an adult these things are frightening to see, to a six year old, they were terrifying. However, one of humanities greatest abilities is adaptation. Over time, I got used to seeing these walking nightmares that were gratefully undetectable to anyone else. Although, yes I will admit there was a time there that I thought I was just losing my mind.

That change of thinking came with stage two. If detection was the first step, defense was the second. Somewhere around when I turned twelve, it started. When a demon would get close, this “spirit fire” as I started calling it would flare up around me covering my body in glowing golden flame. It didn’t burn, I could see perfectly through it, and just like the demons, no one else could see it. Well, other humans couldn’t see it; the demons saw it perfectly. They could also feel it. Those that were daring enough to get close to me when the spirit flame was active would recoiled back with nasty burns and smoking limbs. Once I got used to it, and got in some practice, I learned I could even control the flame. I could form the flame into solid (okay, solid to spirits) objects. A lance to tag a demon up to 15 feet away, a sword to parry incoming claws, and even a shield when I devastation demon would rage out and no longer feel pain.

That got me through the next few years. Knowing I had a good defense against these things gave me the courage to step up, to face not only demons coming after me, but to protect others from their influence also. Middle school and high school went on without much incident, and before we knew it, graduation day was upon us. That night after the ceremony we had a party. Even with all the people and various demons around the room, I still sensed this thing coming. I told my friends I was stepping out to get some fresh air. Instead I walked into the biggest demon I had ever seen. He was a devastation demon, that much was obvious, but instead of a bull-like body, this thing looked like a grizzly’s bigger, badder, uglier brother. My spirit fire sprang to life, and roared to full strength. The demon dodged back from the sudden flame, and glared at me. Then it did something that even with my twelve years of experience seeing these monstrosities never failed to send a chill through my heart, it smiled. It was a smile with too many teeth, jagged spikes of bone erupting from a thick jawbone, that seem devoid of any type of order except to fit as many in one place as possible.

I funnel the fire down my arms and shoot two lances of flame straight towards its grinning maw. The grin instantly shifts to a snarl as it lunges out of the way; the lances slicing into space where its head had just been. It slides to a stop a few feet away, and bunches its hind legs ready to pounce. (Now would probably be a good time to mention that devastation demons, unlike others, have the ability to inflict damage in the physical world. So if this things gets those claws on me…let’s just say it wouldn’t be good). The demon springs, foot-long claws extended, teeth bared; I stumble backwards landing on my back, and launching the full strength of my spirit fire into its chest. The blast knocks it back into the air causing it to land a few feet past me, dark smoke rolling from its chest. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough, as I scramble to my feet I see it bunching for another attack and something tells me I won’t be able to dodge it again.

I launches at me and hastily I try to form a shield but my flame hasn’t fully recharged and with so little time I don’t think it will hold. Then, a flash of light, one brilliant beam that lasted only a fraction of a second, the exact second to blunt the demon’s charge, then it was gone. As my vision cleared, in the ground between the demon and me was a sword; a long, silver, double-edged weapon with a wide gold hilt. I grabbed the handle of the blade, ripping it from the ground, and a wave of disorientation washed over me. As the demon rose back to its feet I moved into ready position, the blade poised between us. The demon raised its head and a look of shock and fear filled it’s face. “An angel!” it screamed, “Where did you come from?! The mortal was supposed to be unprotected!”

At this point I had no idea what it was talking about, and more to the point I’d never been able to understand them before either. Apparently, this confusion showed, and the demon saw it’s chance. It struck out at me in a fury, both front claws ripping at the air. With a grace I had never possessed with a blade before I block each swipe, stepping back only to garner more room to block. The extra room paid off, and between strikes I was able to smash the pommel into its face. Recoiling from the impact it fell back, and I pressed the advantage. With speed and precision, I ducked under its leading arm and plunged the blade deep into its chest. With a scream of rage the black smoke rolls away and the demon is no more.

“Not bad,” calls out a voice behind me. I whirl around sword ready, and descending towards me are three angels. As the trio lands in front of me the one in the front replies, “Not bad at all.” His smile is both dazzling and sincere as he steps forward, “This battle is over David, you can put down the blade.” I lower my blade as he approaches, and he turns his attention from it, looking full in my face. A stumbled, “Who are you?” is all I can manage. “I’ll get to that in a moment, but first, this is for you.” He holds out his hand and in his grip is a sheath wrought in silver with gold tracery and accents of gemstones attached to a belt of pure white leather. I take the sheath autonomously, my attention transfixed. After a moment he prompts, “Sheath the sword, then put the belt on.” The sword slides naturally into the sheath and the belt fits perfectly as I wrap the leather around my waist and fasten the gold buckle.

“Good,” he nods, “and now for introductions. My name is Matthew, this is John and Mark.” as he waves in the direction of the others. “We are Guardians.” Then he laughs, “Don’t worry my friend. A lot has happened in the past few minutes. Very few mortals have ever been given this honor. That sword at your side is a gift, and an opportunity. We are here to offer you the chance to join us.”

I stood dumbfounded looking at these amazing beings, the offer to join them hanging in the air. I was eighteen, barely an adult by mortal standards. How could I stand at the side of these immortals, to think that I deserved a place beside them? Then, what about my life? What about all the mortal years I had in front of me? So, I asked a very mortal question, “What about my life?” Matthew, the smile never leaving his face, “Do you see that latch on the hilt?” What he pointed out was a circular latch at the top of the sheath that looked like it would hook around the hilt? “When that latch is around the hilt your a normal mortal. Flip the latch down, you turn into a Guardian.”

The offer was there. I couldn’t pass it up no matter the cost. “What do I do?” I asked. “Live,” he said, “be the person you are. When you feel the sword call, answer. Until then, Guardian, be well.”

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