Christian rock band MercyMe released “I Can Only Imagine,” the lyrics for which lead singer Bart Millard wrote in just ten minutes … yet took a lifetime to craft.

The movie of the same name was inspired by the loss of Bart’s father, who was abusive before being diagnosed with cancer and later transformed by faith. Father and son were reconciled before his death and in the lyrics, Bart tries to imagine what it would be like to meet God.

Trying to imagine what it will be like when we meet Jesus face to face is, quite honestly, beyond our limited human imagination, but we are reassured by this Scripture …

 ^“Now we see God as if we are looking at a reflection in a mirror. But then, in the future, we will see him right before our eyes. Now I know only a part, but at that time I will know fully, as God has known me” (1 Cor. 13:12).

This inspiring song brings ultimate hope to so many, often in the midst of life’s most challenging moments and is a gripping reminder of the power of forgiveness.

Forgiveness restores broken relationships (Gen. 50:17).
Forgiveness is a path to love (Lk. 7:47).
Forgiveness precedes healing (Lk. 5:17-26).

Forgiveness is an act of worship …
Worship is an extreme form of love …
A type of unquestioning devotion …

“I Can Only Imagine” beautifully illustrates that no one is ever too far from the love of God – or from an eternal home in heaven where we will worship Him for all eternity. Can you imagine it?

“And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, ‘Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honour and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen’” (Rev. 7:11-12).

“I Can Only Imagine”
MercyMe

Lesley Mathews
August 2023