I Can Only Imagine

The song written by MercyMe lead singer Bart Millard in 1999 exploded onto the secular music scene four years later. Originally released on their 2001 album "Almost There," this song describes Millard's view of what meeting Jesus might be like. Have you ever thought about that day? What it will be like to finally meet Jesus? (written 27 Oct 2008)

Think of much anticipated things that have happened in your lifetime. I'm not necessarily referring to Christmas or birthdays, but instead things that have been life-changing. We each have our own milestones, and our own ideas of what is life-changing. There have been quite a few life-changing events over my 44 years, and I don't think God is finished with me yet.

While pregnant with my first child, I could only imagine what it would be like to give birth and to actually parent a living being that was totally dependent on me! Imagination is one thing, experience is something else. They can be eerily similar, or vastly different. Childbirth was a little like and a whole lot different than I had imagined. Parenting? Let's just say that three births and 22 years later, I'm still learning. The years have been a little like and a whole lot different than I ever imagined.

When I decided to become a nurse, I imagined myself in nursing school (a little like and a whole lot different!). I can imagine a lot of things (I have a very vivid imagination), but I can't quite imagine what it will be like to spend eternity with Jesus. I know it is going to happen for me, and I also know that there are many, many others for whom it will not happen. On the flip side, I cannot imagine the way those who do not know Jesus will spend eternity. I am looking forward to seeing daddy, and grandmother and granddaddy, just to name a few. What do those who do not know Him have to look forward to? More importantly, what can I do to make sure that as many people as possible spend eternity with Jesus? Live, believe, and ask for His guidance. He can give me what I need to live as He would have me do. The power is within all of us, it requires Jesus to work.

If you don't know the song, "I Can Only Imagine", find it. Youtube has a video, there are probably many copies available for download, find the cd in a music store or online. I prefer the MercyMe version, but there are more available. It is worth a listen ... set your imagination on Jesus and let it go!

[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

Jesus, thank you for the imagination with which I have been blessed. Let me draw from that imagination and from your love to be able to make it known what a joy you are in my life, and what a beautiful thing eternity will be spent with you.

"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."~Ephesians 3:16-19 NIV