Read 1 Corinthians 2:1-10

Sing, imagine, and focus on heaven!

In 1993, I attended the first large Promise Keepers conference in the stunningly beautiful setting of Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado. There were 50,000 men in attendance. Sitting in the upper deck with two friends, the music and the messages were very uplifting. I learned more about being a Christian man and being a leader of my family. We sang AMAZING GRACE which was memorable with all the male voices. Written by John Newton, the fifth verse – which is about Heaven – was joyful to sing:

“When we’ve been there ten thousand years

Bright shining as the sun,

We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise

Than when we’d first begun.”

We were singing about Heaven with men from all over the country who were called to be better men, better dads and better servants in churches through Jesus Christ.

While singing songs like Amazing Grace and reading scripture, I find the peace of God and hope for the future. Jesus said in John 14:2:

“I am going there to prepare a place for you.”

Can you imagine Heaven? Bart Mallard recalls standing by the grave site of his father (Bub) with his grandmother, who turned and whispered, “I can only imagine what Bub’s seeing right now.” That idea lodged itself in Bart’s mind. To envision his father in the presence of Jesus became his chief source of hope. And later Bart and Mercy Me sang I CAN ONLY IMAGINE (1999).

“I can only imagine

When that day comes

And 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.”

Is your heart focused on heaven?

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.”

Colossians 3:1

Is your mind focused on Heaven?

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

Colossians 3:2

We can sing Christian songs, imagine Heaven and focus on some characteristics of Jesus such as compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience! (Colossians 3:12).

“Softly and tenderly, Jesus is calling

Calling for you and for me

See on the portals, He’s waiting and watching

Watching for you and for me.

Come home, come home,

Ye who are weary, come home,

Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,

Calling, “Oh, sinner, come home.”

(Will L. Thompson, 1880).

Focus your life to come home.

Tom Weckesser