A Story of Light, Love, Lang, and the Gospel

The Good News is you are loved exactly as you are—period.

Hello and welcome, treasured one—

While I’ve loved Jesus pretty much my whole life, these days I generally refer to myself as a Christ follower, rather than as a Christian. Why? Because, sadly, the term “Christian” has become synonymous with being judgmental and tribalistic. This breaks my heart because being nonjudgmental and radically inclusive is at the very heart of Jesus’ teachings and way. Not only did he say, “do not judge, or you too will be judged”; he hung out with all the wrong people. The Christ ate and drank—a declaration of acceptance in his culture—with sex workers, traitors, criminals, outsiders, rabble rousers, and losers. He embraced the physically disabled, mentally ill, seriously sick, and beyond.

I share that because, for more than a month now, something within me has been urging me to write a bit about the Gospel. The problem was, I lacked an “in”, the story of what it means to me. Then, while I was on a run, it came to me—and I can’t wait to share it with you.

(I took all three of the pics during that run)

I’ll start by pointing out: Gospel means “good news”, as in the proclamation of something fantastic that has already happened. Let’s keep that in mind as we proceed.

About a decade ago I was in a dark night of the soul. I felt adrift, purposeless, and disconnected. It was like my life had turned black-and-white, and two-dimensional. Everything seemed grey and drab, and meaning had gone on sabbatical.

There’s a particular moment that speaks to how muddy and gloomy my spirit was at the time. While I can’t recall the details of the event, I keenly remember what bubbled up inside of me. I was in some kind of group setting, and two people I knew were declaring their love for one another in a tender and terrific way. Overcome by their joyous affection, all the people around me burst into applause and celebration. Everyone was overjoyed—except for me. Amidst this truly beautiful instant, what rose up in me was: Well, that’s just silly. Love is dumb, and this won’t last.

This moment is especially poignant to me because, I am a life-long hopeful romantic. I LOVE, love! But that’s how low I’d sunk. In a real way, I didn’t know who I was, or what I was here on earth for.

That’s when I started practicing meditation and contemplation—often using a mantra to both help me stay present, and remind myself how amazing life is. It was a time of not only clearing away my mental clutter, but a sacred pause I began every morning with. During these “sessions”, I rested in the Holy’s embrace, while basking in the warmth of Christ’s pure, unadulterated delight in me. It was my daily bath in divine light and love. While naturally all manner of thoughts, physical distractions, and what not took me out of these moments—repeatedly. I did my best to let breath and mantra guide me back. And, day-by-day, this breathed life back into me. My soul began to sing again, as my spirit soared. My dark night had turned to dawn.

Now, it’s important to point out: I played a key role in creating these sacred times. In that, I brought to my mind’s eye what I believe to be true. Yet, typically there was also “something” else involved. A tangible Presence that was both intimately familiar to and wholly other than me.

Then, something I can’t adequately put into words, am a little scared to share, and was completely outside of my doing happened.

During my morning routine a glorious light filled and surrounded me. It was like being in the arms of Mother God. What is more, this Presence gently held me in what seemed like the air—and, it also felt like I was floating on my back in a pool of endless goodness. I don’t know if this went on for seconds, minutes or more. Every bit of my being both quickened and relaxed. Bliss and peace filled me. Then, a voice that rang with a calmness and confidence older than creation—who I understood to be the Christ—spoke to me. It was more of a multi-sensatory message, than strictly “speaking” though. Words, images, and deep knowing filled my ears, mind, heart, body, and soul. It was like the Divine downloaded a Truth into my very being. What Christ told me was:

All are in. All are loved. Love is everything, and will guide everyone home. All people are destined for eternal flourishing. You can trust this to be true, and relax into and receive it.

It wasn’t like Spirit spoke this merely once though, it was like a long lullaby to my soul. For some undeterminable amount of time, I simply did what the Divine invited me to do. I relaxed into, and received it.

In many ways, I believe this is the Gospel message. The peace, bliss, wholeness, approval, and love of heaven is already yours—relax into and receive it. That’s how good God is.

Along those lines, can I let you in on another little secret? For decades I tried my best to be a kind, giving, caring, generous, and loving person, because that is who a good Christian is supposed to be. Yet, while I wasn’t a terrible human, I certainly wasn’t those things. Do you want to know what flipped the script, freeing me to be kind, giving, caring, generous, and loving? Relaxing into and receiving the Divine’s extravagant, endless, and unconditional love, approval, and inclusion.

Perhaps you’d like to join me in these wonderful waters …

How does this land with you? Does it spark or inspire something within? Please let us know in the comments, click the “like” button 🤍 if this spoke to you, and share it with anyone you think it could benefit. And above all, please remember: YOU are amazing, and I hope you have a beautiful day!

Hugs & Love,

Lang (aka “Dr. Love”)