We travel many paths in life, some take us to heights of breathless exhilaration, and others leave us devastated - searching through rubble of hopes and dreams. I once stood in a heap of rubble. During that time God literally moved me to a road called “Hope Side Road”. Every day I was reminded that “You are on the side of HOPE” - “and HOPE does not disappoint”.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Psalm 5 ...
In my reading today I came across a letter written in the fourth century(Athanasius, then Archbishop of Alexandria, to a fellow believer, Marcelliunus) In his letter he details with great inspiration how the Psalms in particular provide such specific comfort for so many of our earthly "cries" ... such a gift from God in the middle of trial, struggle or persecution ...
Reading over them, I came across his notes on Psalm 5 ... and as I read it, a now distant but sweet tune began to play in my head and heart ...it's a song that I THINK many of you might remember .... I wonder?Do you remember this one? You gotta tell me if you do!!!
Bill Sprouse's "Psalm 5" ...The story goes ... maybe you recall this ...
"Big Bill was asleep and woke with a melody to King David's words in Psalm 5. A week or two later Bill went to heaven after a massive heart attack. He never got to hear this final recording. But we're thankful that Big Bill, David and God that we have been gave us this beautiful melody from a dream."
I love modern worship ... I love contemporary Christian music ... but sometimes ... I miss the pure inspiration and simplicity of some of the tunes that graced our ears and hearts "back then" ... don't you? (Oyee ... I really don't feel old enough to say "Back Then") ... lol
Have a listen ... and I hope ... you'll be blessed ...
Who knows, maybe one of you needed to hear this, so that you would wake up tomorrow morning with this song in your heart ... and know -- He hears and is near. PSALM 5 D G/D D
Give ear to my words, O Lord G A Consider my meditation Em Bm7 Em Bm7 Em Harken unto the voice of my cry G D/F# Em7 D G My king and my God Em Bm7 Em Bm7 Em D/F# For unto Thee will I pray G D/F# Em D A My voice shalt thou hear in the morning D G/D D O Lord, in the morning will I direct my prayer G Em7 A7 G/D D Unto thee, and will look up.
Anita
I woke up early this morning … REALLY EARLY … 5 am. Changes are coming … big ones … you know the type I mean. I tried to sleep … thoughts kept running through my head. I wasn't expecting these changes and if I'd had it my way I would have somehow avoided them. Changes that will make life – for a time … uncomfortable. Changes that will require extra energy, extra time, extra work, extra appointments … And I'm exhausted just thinking of them.
I've been strong this week in the face of these coming changes. I've done all I knew to do, was responsible to take action where it was needed, but I was weary … Weary? So why was I awake at 5 am??!!
Somewhere in the activity of this past week, in the business of all that needed attending to, the decisions that needed to be made … in the output of so much energy …I DID hear him encouraging me, I waited on him, prayed to him, asked for guidance, was inspired, was lead and directed. And yet here I was awake at 5 am … on a Saturday no less!!
And so I rolled out of bed – reassured my worried husband that I was (mostly) fine - and made my way to the cold dark kitchen, and to my laptop to find a distraction from the thoughts that were hounding my head and my heart.
I'll be honest … I wasn't necessarily searching for a 'divine intervention'. And yet … that is what exactly what God came to bring me. To really appreciate what God did here … you first have to know something about me.
One of the dearest hymns to my heart has been 'Great is Thy Faithfulness'. Over the years I've sung this song in a small church in northern Saskatchewan when I was still young and naive to what life would still hold for me. Over the years, it's deepened in its poignancy, as I have been witness to the faithfulness of God's character … in so many people's lives, but especially in mine. This song has become my anthem, a life song … and it goes to very deep places in me. It can turn my worried and anxious heart to one of peace and calm in a moment. I've sung this song in quiet moments when I felt sure and safe; it was one Mike and I chose to have sung it at our wedding; and I hope someone remembers to have it sung at my funeral. It is probably the truest testimony of God that I know.
So in the middle of my morning, my searching for a distraction - a distraction from the leftovers of a wearying week … I came across an artist, Sara Groves. I've heard her name, but wasn't familiar with anything she'd sung. So there was no reason why I was searching her songs in particular. I randomly surfed and aimlessly searched … I had no idea that God had, the whole time been guiding my clicking to this very song … 'He's Always Been Faithful to Me' … nor did I realize the connection it had to my favourite hymn 'Great is thy faithfulness'. Not until I was able to hear a full version of the song.
As I listened, with tears streaming down my face … dripping off my nose (LOL) … I realized that God sent me a personal letter for my early morning restlessness. It had my name on it and was marked 'Personal and Confidential'. How did I know it was JUST for me? He used the first line of Sara's song 'Great is Thy Faithfulness' --- It caught my attention, that is sung in a simple way to say 'I know you! I know what you need! Right now … in this moment, and I'm here to provide just what you need'. Beyond the first line, woven in and out of that old familiar song, were these new words that reminded me once again of the absoluteness of his faithfulness. And my heart sang with it ... from a deep place inside me … from a place that knew how God could quiet concerns of the immediate; plans to be made; the to-do lists; and the 'what ifs' and 'what if nots'.
'All I have need of .. His hand will provide. He's always been faithful …. He's always been faithful … He's always been faithful … to me'.
You know in the bible David at times seems like he has two personalities. One that is human and weak and failable. And one that commands his soul, reminding it, chastising it, getting its attention 'In God, whose word I praise, in GodI trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?' and to praise him in the middle of hardship with 'Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him Ps 42:5'.
And so it was with me as I listened and cried. The tears were not just because he had interrupted my search for a distraction … but because I felt the personal and loving hand of God, my father. Concerned with every detail I am concerned for. His personal knowledge of what that song meant to me, he used to send me a clear message: that he was watching over, not only my circumstances, but my poor weary heart. He was waiting for me at my kitchen table at 5 am … with just what I needed to face the rest of my day, and my week, and the days ahead.
Interestingly, the sun is up now … and I can see across the field behind our house, what I couldn't see at 5 am. And I hear God whispering to me … 'I will make all things clear, in my time, and I continue to be faithful to all of your needs.'
Morning by morning I wake up to find The power and comfort of God's hand in mine Season by season I watch Him, amazed In awe of the mystery of His perfect ways
All I have need of, His hand will provide He's always been faithful to me I can't remember a trial or a pain He did not recycle to bring me gain I can't remember one single regret In serving God only, and trusting His hand
All I have need of, His hand will provide He's always been faithful to me
This is my anthem, this is my song The theme of the stories Ive heard for so long God has been faithful, He will be again His loving compassion, it knows no end
All I have need of, His hand will provide He's always been faithful, He's always been faithful He's always been faithful to me ..
If there was ever a song with my name on it ... this is it. Funny how much more I would come to understand these lyrics in a way that I never thought I could. Walking in cold places of doubt, fear, unknown change, struggle, pain ... can cause you to question the one thing you thought you knew that you knew ... his presence in your life. I can attest to the fact that he was faithful not to leave me there in that cold windy place ... he spoke a simple word to my heart "Stand" ... Stand???? Why stand, Lord ...don't you see how I'm trying to keep warm, I'm trying to get to where I'm going (where ever that is???), I'm trying with everything I HAVE to just make it through each day ... and again it would come back upon my heart "Stand" ... and so in a moment of seeming insanity ... I obeyed his voice ... and simply .... stood ... still ... Amidst my circumstances - without anything changing --- I stood ... and in a moment ... he was there ... right beside me ...
Looking down the hill I just walked up, struggling ... I could see the imprint of his steps right next to mine. And clearly I knew I wasn't climbing alone. It wasn't with everything I HAD that I made it that far ... it was because he was there with me the whole way. I didn't see him when I was struggling ... why? Because of a sense that I was not deserving of such a gift of his grace ... that the God of heaven and earth would chose to walk beside me - knowing me as well as he did (and I believe he knows it ALL) ... BUT HE DID ... day in and day out ... step by every single heartbroken step ...
What do you do in a moment like this? You need to do something to remember this place, so that every time you think you are walking alone you can remember the spot where he simply said to your heart "Stand" ... the place you knew, I mean really knew, you'd never be forsaken or forgotten by him. Realizing how blinded you were by the storm and the cold. Stand ... because he is GRACE ... realize that you don't need to spend time and energy earning his presence ... he's there because he lives within you. What do you to remember such a place? Simply put ... do as those who loved him and knew him did long ago ... build an alter ... a place to sacrifice something of worth to a God that deserves more than we could ever give him ... and what do you place on that alter? The only thing he really wants ... the song from the deepest part of your soul ... why a song - because it's the rhythm of your heart, your soul, your being --- and let it sing the song that sings his praise for who he is. And you'll find you'll sing this song in every storm, on every hillside, in every trial ... and you'll remember ... he was with you! "STAND" by Susan Ashton With visible breath, I'm calling your name With visible tracks, I'm finding my way With a sorrowful heart, I honor this pain And offer these tears to the rain In a moment of truth at the top of the hill I open my arms and let go of my will
And stand with my face to the wind With the storm beating down on this sacred ground If I stand for the grace that I've known For what I believe Then I won't stand alone No I won't stand alone
There's a new pair of eyes to embrace all I see A new peace of mind and it comes quietly There's a joy in my heart that you've given to me And I offer this soul's melody
So I beat on my chest till my song has been sung And I cry like a wolf at the top of my lungs
And stand with my face to the wind With the storm beating down on this sacred ground If I stand for the grace that I've known For what I believe Then I won't stand alone No I won't stand alone
When the thundering voices of doubt try to shake my faith, oh I'll be listening from inside out and I won't be afraid to
Stand with my face to the wind With the storm beating down on this sacred ground If I stand for the grace that I've known For what I believe Then I won't stand alone No I won't stand...I won't stand alone
This afternoon I stopped by Salem Storehouse, our Christian bookstore here in Ottawa. A friend had given me a CD for my birthday that I already had, and graciously allowed me to return it for another. In searching for a replacement I came across a live CD of a group that I love called Casting Crowns (http://www.castingcrowns.tv/) - something about their overall presentation has drawn me to them since the first sampling. I love their sound - strong, tight, solid, driving ... but more than that ... I love the sense of 'real life' they have - mixed with the true heart of Jesus. They challenge us to BE the heart of Jesus to others ...
What does that mean? It means a heart that isn't afraid to walk into the middle of someone's pain and suffering. Its imperfections, its failures ... its grays ... its disappointments ... its lack of answers and fairness... I've been a Christian now for ... hmmmm ... (2006 - 1977 = 29) 29 years (I don't say that to boast by any means - because in God's terms - years doesn't always mean maturity!).
I've heard so many sermons, I hate to think of all that I'm responsible for hearing, and have probably only applied to my life less than 1/4 of them... if that! I've been in ministry and so know both sides of the "Christian" picture ... the good and the bad ... the disappointing harshness of human nature vs. the wonderful grace of God. I've been just as guilty about sheepishly withdrawing from those painful situations in other's lives that I didn't understand, or have answers to. I've questioned the issue of grace vs. law as much as anyone. But honestly - the older I got, the more pain I saw in the lives of people around me - some self inflicted, some not. But what I always got from the picture that scripture paints of Jesus was that he always rushed in, where others feared to tread.
As time passed more friends I knew were faced with difficult situations, and I was - with every situation - given the test of which side to fall on ... law or Grace. I didn't always know which scripture it was that could back me - but I had the character and nature of who God was --- and that gave me enough reason to err on the side of Grace. And I'm glad today I did ... because Grace allowed me to be witness to their transformation from hurt to healing. But even in that - it was easier to be on the side of giving compassion --- than on the side of one needing compassion. Little did I know that in time, my understanding of that Grace would be put to the test.... and I would be the one needing compassion?
In 2003 my world was turned upside-down when my 22 year marriage faced the truth - it had died long before the 22nd year. Though not without good efforts to bring it back to life ... facing the truth of that was devastating - and one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. The steps I've had to walk since then have been both the most real blessing I've known and a painful eye opening experience.
I've learned that there were and still are people in my life that will stand by me at any cost - even if it wasn't easy for them to do so, and if they themselves were criticized for doing so ... they were with me in the darkest days, and were to me - the heart of Jesus - until my heart could feel him again. I also learned what it was like to be the focus of the critical eye of those who had a difficult time 'coping' with my tragedy - overlooking my massive internal emotional bleeding, as they struggled to 'deal' with my 'situation', finally choosing the 'exit' door as the best way to 'deal'.
By the way ... this brings me to a beef I have ... where are the books on recovery from divorce in the Christian world? There's a ton of them in the regular book stores! Oh, I know there are a few ... but very few. With all the stats we hear today on divorce, let alone Christian divorce ... there must be so many hurting people - living with guilt, condemnation and false judgment ... that need to know God's grace in the middle of this loss ... and still we wonder why our churches merely recycle members from one church to another - or why attendance is lower than it should be? .... hmmmm
The ending of a marriage is a death - to both people involved ... we morn every other death, come from miles to be near them, gather around them as they cry, bring food to those left behind, stand beside those who are barely able to stand at that time. But with divorce ... it's a taboo thing - associated with a public sin.... and so we step away - just as the Pharisees did with the woman caught in adultery ... it's simply too uncomfortable. And maybe the reason for the lack of comfort is a God given conviction that for many of us "There but by the grace of God goes I!"
I'm grateful for those in my life that didn't abandon me --- but kept the heart of Jesus beating in their chests as they prayerfully walked with me, even if all I could feel at the time was the reverberation of his heart in them ... it kept him close to me.
My innocent understanding that every Christian had 'minimally' at their core, the grace and absolute unconditional love of Jesus - was ultimately, and necessarily shattered - from those who didn't know better to those who should have. I've been surprised at times where it came from. Though with time - the shock has gotten to be less. It's a simple reality for me now, as even the presence of some family members has evaporated, lost in their need to 'cope' with my loss and failure of my marriage.
Do you know that even with all I've lost - if you were to ask me today if I'd go back to what I lived in before - a marriage of facade, with its unhealthy reality - I would make the same decision today? I'm thankful that God gave me enough courage to do what needed to be done - and face what needed to be exposed. I am left with a sense of loss - loss of family, loss of friends, and loss of trust in people (though is that a bad thing? The jury's out. After all scripture warns about trusting in the arm of flesh - or man - rather "We will trust in the name of the Lord our God!") --- The loss of innocence. Still, as I sat the other night over supper with the faithful friend who gave me that CD for my birthday - for the first time, I said out loud - "I like who I am today ... I like that I am more the authentic me than I've ever been." The cost was large ... but the end result ... a gift - redeemed by a God that promised nothing less for lives in ruin - redemption.
But back to today, as I was driving in my car with tears rolling down my cheeks, and listening to these songs, I knew His voice - and that unmistakable sense that he wants me to 'get SOMETHING here' .... He wanted me to hear ---- that no matter who stands and falls next to me - he won't be one of the ones that exit, evaporates, shrinks away or judges - he will walk in - when others walk out --- in the middle of the chaos and confusion, in the middle of the darkness and lack of answers, in the pain, the shame, the sadness, and the recovery ... I am coming to learn in such a deeper way - something I heard and even said so many times, but KNOW better now ... he alone is truly faithful, able to give perfect unfailing love, ever embracing, ever unfailing, ever merciful, ever abounding in grace ... and because of this ... my heart is healed and healing ... Thank you, Casting Crowns - for hearing the voice of God, and translating it into music - so that more of us can hear the 'Voice of Truth'. The Voice of the One that longs to pick up every one of his children who have been left behind by confused 'christians' who will in all likelihood at some point need the same Grace and compassion they fell short of giving. "God, we humbly ask that you reverberate in our hearts your Grace and compassion at all times - to those deserving, and especially to those who aren't - so that all would come to know true GRACE."
"I guess what God is showing me is that sometimes he calms the storms in our lives, and sometimes he rides the waves with us, but either way - blessed be the name of the Lord ..." Mark Hall, lead singer of Casting Crowns.
Praise You in This Storm words by Mark Hall/music by Mark Hall and Bernie Herms
I was sure by now, God You would have reached down and wiped my tears away, stepped in and saved the day. But once again, I say amen and it's still raining as the thunder rolls I barely hear You whisper through the rain, "I'm with you" and as Your mercy falls I raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away.
Chorus: And I'll praise you in this storm and I will lift my hands for You are who You are no matter where I am and every tear I've cried You hold in your hand You never left my side and though my heart is torn I will praise You in this storm
I remember when I stumbled in the wind You heard my cry to You and raised me up again my strength is almost gone how can I carry on if I can't find You and as the thunder rolls I barely hear You whisper through the rain "I'm with you" and as Your mercy falls I raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away
Chorus
I lift my eyes unto the hills where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth I lift my eyes unto the hills where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
Chorus
More from the same CD ... with the same heart ... and oh how true - as one who has been on both sides now of the pulpit and the pew ... so so true!
"My grace is sufficient for you - my power is made perfect in your weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness because I know that the power of Christ rests in me. That's why for Christ's sake I will delight in my weakness and in my hardship and in my difficulties because when I am weak, then I am strong."~ Paul
"What I think we need to hear from each other is that 'we are broken people made whole'. I don't think it bothers the world that we sin, I think it bothers them that we act like we don't. The best way to walk with Jesus is to show what kind of losers he can change and the people he can use."
"Stained Glass Masquerade"
Is there anyone that fails Is there anyone that falls Am I the only one in church today feelin' so small
Cause when I take a look around Everybody seems so strong I know they'll soon discover That I don't belong
So I tuck it all away, like everything's okay If I make them all believe it, maybe I'll believe it too So with a painted grin, I play the part again So everyone will see me the way that I see them
Are we happy plastic people Under shiny plastic steeples With walls around our weakness And smiles to hide our pain But if the invitation's open To every heart that has been broken Maybe then we close the curtain On our stained glass masquerade
Is there anyone who's been there Are there any hands to raise Am I the only one who's traded In the altar for a stage
The performance is convincing And we know every line by heart Only when no one is watching Can we really fall apart
But would it set me free If I dared to let you see The truth behind the person That you imagine me to be
Would your arms be open Or would you walk away Would the love of Jesus Be enough to make you stay
And this is just such a simple answer to "What do we do?" for those who we don't know how to BE with in the midst of their pain --- And yet, it's such a simple calling ... to all of us ... 'Love them like Jesus" ... I know, this is all I longed for from those people in my life that "struggled" with my struggle ... I challenge you, as I challenge myself ... don't step away from the people around you in pain because of your discomfort ... just be with them ... and if Jesus is in you, 'being there' is loving them like Jesus would.
Love Them Like Jesus
The love of her life is drifting away They're losing the fight for another day The life that she's known is falling apart A fatherless home, a child's broken heart
You're holding her hand, you're straining for words You trying to make - sense of it all She's desperate for hope, darkness clouding her view She's looking to you
Just love her like Jesus, carry her to Him His yoke is easy, His burden is light You don't need the answers to all of life's questions Just know that He loves her and stay by her side Love her like Jesus Love her like Jesus
The gifts lie in wait, in a room painted blue Little blessing from Heaven would be there soon Hope fades in the night, blue skies turn to gray As the little one slips away
You're holding her hand, you're straining for words You're trying to make sense of it all They're desperate for hope, darkness clouding their view They're looking to you
Just love them like Jesus, carry them to Him His yoke is easy, His burden is light You don't need the answers to all of life's questions Just know that He loves them and stay by their side Love them like Jesus
Lord of all creation holds our lives in His hands The God of all the nations holds our lives in His hands The Rock of our salvation holds our lives in His hands He cares for them just as He cares for you
So love them like Jesus, love them like Jesus You don't need the answers to all of life's questions Just know that He loves them and stay by their side Love them like Jesus Love them like Jesus
How cool that this video starts with my life verse ... JER 29:11 ... love the HOPE that verse holds ... a reminder that no matter where or how I see myself, he is always aware of what lies ahead, he's not discouraged or un-nerved by things that come my way, or bad decisions I make ... he doesn't stop believing in the one HE created me to be. He still sees the potential ...
This video could very much be my Blog theme song. Most of the difficult days are behind me now, and healing days are still ahead of me, it may take longer than I think it should! Go figure!!
Sometimes I see no changes at all... impatient ... sometimes I wonder if any healing is happening at all. It's usually only when I am looking around at the immediate and the most recent that I see no progress. It's hard to see any changes from that vantage point. But every so often, He gives me a higher and wider perspective - a vantage point that allows me to see the disappointment that's been turned into acceptance, the hurt that's been turned to grace and forgiveness, and the valuable lessons learned not from a life of perfection ... but a life lived --- searching for and finding Him in the rubble, seeing his purpose in the scars ...
Did you ever wonder why God doesn't always allow scars to heal? Sometimes he wants us to remember that healing does come ... and the scar is proof!
I can say with contentment and reassurance today ... so much of the pain I knew only years ago is looking less like the pain I thought I'd never know an end to ... and more like his purpose and character in my life. As strange as it may sound ... I won't pray the scars completely disappear ... because I want to remember what he's done for me.
Less Like Scars by Sara Groves
It's been a hard year But I'm climbing out of the rubble These lessons are hard, Healing changes are subtle
But every day it's...
Less like tearing more like building Less like captive more like willing Less like breakdown more like surrender Less like haunting more like remember
And I feel you here And you're picking up the pieces Forever faithful It seemed out of my hands a bad situation But you are able And in your hands the pain and hurt look less like scars and more like character
Less like a prison a prison more like my room Less like a casket more like a womb Less like dying more like transcending Less like fear, less like an ending
And I feel you here And you're picking up the pieces Forever faithful It seemed out of my hands a bad situation But you are able And in your hands the pain and hurt look less like scars
Just a little while ago I couldn't feel the power or the hope I couldn't cope, I couldn't feel a thing Just a little while back I was desperate, broken, laid out Hoping you would come
And I need you And I want you here And I feel you...
And I know you're here And you're picking up the pieces Forever faithful It seemed out of my hands a bad situation But you are able And in your hands the pain and hurt look less like scars And in your hands the pain and hurt look less like scars And in your hands the pain and hurt
I'm somewhat sentimental today as I've just spent some time looking over pics of my kids from the time they were young until recent days. What I know? I've been blessed ... not for any reason that I deserve. Oh, I know --- I tried as much as I knew to do as a parent, like all of us do - some days I failed miserably, and some days I got it right --- but that is why the Grace of God is really the reason I've been blessed with two kids who shine ... they shine in their love for Jesus (and there's a good reason why they probably did turn out so well!!!) and they shine in their love for each other ... and shine in who they are in this world.
I know, like any teen - they have days when they question who they are ... why they are here ... and all the struggles that come with being that age ... wondering will they ever know the answers to these questions. I know they'll find the answers. Why? Partly because I'm their mom ... and I can see all these amazing things in them ... but mostly because God always answers those kinds of questions - in his time ... he's faithful that way ... how do I know this? He did it for me ... and continues to do it. (Heaven knows I ain't done!!!)
So I dedicate this blog/song to them ... I love you both - BIG!
YOU'RE GONNA BE
8lbs and 5oz. lookin' up at me Like I have all the answers I hope I have the ones you need I've never really done this, now I know what scared is
Sometimes I'll protect you from everything that's wrong Other times I'll let you just find out on your own But that's when you'll be growin', And the whole time I'll be knowin
CHORUS:
You're gonna fly with every dream you chase You're gonna cry, but know that that's okay Sometimes life's not fair, but if you hang in there You're gonna see that sometimes bad is good We just have to believe things work out like they should Life has no guarantees, but always loved by me You're gonna be I'm afraid you'll have to suffer through some of my mistakes Lord knows I'll be trying to give you what it takes What it takes to know the difference Between getting by and livin'
'Cause anything worth doing is worth doing all the way Just know you'll have to live with all the choices that you make So make sure you're always givin' way more than you're takin'
REPEAT CHORUS
Someone's everything You're gonna see Just what you are to me
You're gonna fly with every dream you chase We just have to believe things work out like they should Life has no guarantees, but always loved by me You're gonna be Always loved by me
So you want to know who I am and what makes me tick? Some days, so do I. Well, if either of us need a clue - here is one. The song 'I Can Only Imagine' - sung by a number of different groups - Mercy Me, Amy Grant and the version playing in the background - Wynonna Judd (go figure!).
Like some songs that get too much airplay - I had become tired of this song for that reason alone. I actually sang it at a friend's wedding so had to listen and sing it all the more to practice for the big day.
Don't get me wrong - it's not the words, just the over use of them ... then one day, I sat at my computer and was searching for some other song by Wynonna Judd and up came 'I Can Only Imagine' ... funny how God works.
I'd seen Wynonna a couple of times on TV giving a very honest and heart revealing tell of what kind of a hell she's been through in the past few years ... some of which I identified with ... wonder how many other people did also ... and in her search she found one true and lasting love ... Jesus.
When I heard her sing this song it brought back not only the story I heard her tell - but my own connection to the sense that no matter what all happens in this life time ... one day we all stand before Jesus and as everything else fades into meaninglessness ... we'll look into the eyes of the one true and pure love we have ever known ... I can only imagine, what that will be like ....
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.
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!
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! Yeah! I can only imagine!
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! Yeah! I can only imagine! I can only imagine! Yeah! I can only imagine!! Only imagine!!! I can only imagine.
I can only imagine, when all I do is forever, forever worship You! I can only imagine.'
