I Can Only Imagine

Everytime I think about the Lord and the day when I'll see him face to face, I get overwhelmed.  I think about how I love my son and my husband and the affections I have for them and how much I enjoy eating Jack's little chubby cheeks and how the love I feel for them is even greater toward my God.

We were listening to a version of "I Can Only Imagine".  It's the song about how we'll react when we come face to face with Jesus.  I asked Jack "What would you do?" He said "I'll sing; I'll dance; I'll hit my knees for him."  I said "I think I'll eat his head" :)

Jack then said "Mom, I would die for Him and I would kill for Him."  He said "You know, how you say that about me." 

That got me thinking.  I always tell Jack that I love him so much I'd die for him and I'd kill for him.  It hit me that is exactly how the Lord feels.  He loves us so much that he died for us and He took out the enemy for our sake.

Then the thought came to me "Imagine what it would be like without the Lord".  I envisioned the Holy Spirit leaving my body and taking with Him all my joy; all my happiness; all my purpose.  I would be left a shell -- an empty shell with no hope; no peace and no comfort.  It grieves me so deeply.  My life wouldn't be worth living without the Lord as a constant presence in it.

Knowing Jesus gives me a sense of security and confidence. I know that anything I must face I will not have to face it alone.  The Lord is always with me; comforting, directing and reasurring. 

You never really realize how great of a presence the Lord is in your life until you think about what it would be without him.  I remember years ago my friend shared that the Lord said to her "what if you could never talk to me again?".  I also remember being so upset -- to the point of tears.  I couldn't imagine.  Or let's put it this way -- I didn't want to!

It's always nice to imagine what it's going to be like when we finally meet the one who loves us enough to die for us.  But I think it's also helpful for us to imagine what it would be like without him.  This will keep us compassionate toward others and zealous for the work the Lord has for us to do.  There are many who have not had the awesome experience to know my Jesus.

It is those times of imagining that remind me of my purpose and my mission -- to help others find Jesus and experience the awesomeness of our God in a real way.

I love you, Lord!

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4