I Can Only Imagine

I Can Only Imagine

I can only imagine
What it will be like
When I walk
By your side

I can only imagine
What my eyes will see
When your face
Is before me
I can only imagine
I can only imagine

[Chorus:]
Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still
Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine
I can only imagine

I can only imagine
When that day comes
When I find myself
Standing in the Son

I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever
Forever worship You
I can only imagine
I can only imagine

I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever, forever worship you
I can only imagine

I really like this song. MercyMe sings it and I am pretty sure this is the only song of his that I like. What do I like about it? I'm so glad you asked! Because I am going to tell you.

First, I like it because it reminds me that one day I will be standing before God. It draws my mind to the inevitable end of my life and the inevitable goal of my faith.

Second, it makes me wonder, what will be like? I'm pretty sure I know what it will be like for me. In my imagination, I fall flat on my face in His presence, terrified into silence when confronted by the Holy God. Jesus will come down from the Father's side and pick me up. "She is mine, I have bought her with my blood," He will declare to the Father. "Why are you afraid? Do you doubt me even now?" He will say to me, one last rebuke before my sanctification is completed.

I don't think it will be like that for everyone though. When my friend, Willa Mae Hunter died, she had no knowledge of the gospel besides, "I am a sinner, Jesus died on the cross for my sins and one day I will be in heaven with Him." That was all she knew, but she loved it! It was her only hope! She was abused and taken advantage of her entire life by her father and her husband and her son. She worked hard all her life and died penniless. But she was loved by her Heavenly Father and she loved Him back. I imagine, that when she died, she stood before God with her tentative little smile on her face and was met by a loving Father, who came down and hugged her and said, "Welcome home, beloved daughter!" And I imagine that she cried with joy in her release from the horrors of sin.

When I picture those who have given their lives for the sake of the gospel, I imagine it a little differently. I imagine the men and women, tied to the stake, amazing the crowds as they lifted their voices in song to the praise of God even as they burned transitioning into even more joyous song and dance as they are suddenly out of the fire and with their Savior. "It was WORTH IT!" they cry, "Hallelujah, praise the LORD!!"

This is why I enjoy this song. It brings to mind my brothers and sisters, past and present, from all nations, tongues, and peoples who have been bought by Jesus. It reminds me that one day I will be with them in glory. It reminds me that there truly is an end in sight. It encourages me to run the race well. And it makes me cry in remembrance of the ones that I've lost, if only for a little while.