We may not fall into a fifth dimension, as the characters did in The Twilight Zone. But we do have a spiritual dimension.
Image of a family watching TV in 1958, from Wikipedia.
The Twilight Zone premiered on television in October 1959. The program spanned five seasons, with a one-year gap between the third and fourth seasons.
Many consider The Twilight Zone, created and hosted by Rod Serling, one of the best dramas in the history of television. Thanks to reruns and DVDs, we can be reminded of a basic spiritual truth while watching The Twilight Zone.
An anthology of science fiction/fantasy parables, each show explored some aspect of human nature using metaphor rather than conventional drama. During the first season, each episode began with these familiar words: “There is a fifth dimension, beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. . . . It is an area which we call the Twilight Zone.”
Human beings are born with a spiritual dimension that goes beyond the physical senses. In this dimension, we follow either God’s Spirit of truth or Satan’s spirit of deception (1 John 4:6). If we want to enter the Kingdom of God, we must have a spiritual birth (John 3:5) and experience growth as God’s Spirit teaches us spiritual truth (1 Corinthians 2:12-13). True worship of God happens within this spiritual dimension:
[Jesus said,] “God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” John 4:24
If we want to have a full understanding of human behavior, we have to take the spiritual dimension into account. Even programs for physical healing are more effective when the spiritual component is included. We need to remember to nourish our spiritual side every day. It’s too easy to focus on our physical self and forget that someday we will receive a “spiritual body” (1 Corinthians 15:46). Once we get our new, permanent body, we will learn the real meaning of “timeless as infinity.”
How will you nurture your spiritual dimension today?
© Dianne Neal Matthews (www.DianneNealMatthews.com). Dianne is a freelance writer and the author of four daily devotional books. This article is adapted from her book, The One Year on This Day (Tyndale House).
For a blast from the past, you might enjoy watching the classic Twilight Zone introduction:
