In the spring of 2020, we were sitting in our living room like many of you, worshiping along with a remote worship service. Carey was leading singing, and Frances was there translating into ASL. In the background was a recording of us singing when we could be together. The five of us and the TV wasn't the beauty of hundreds of voices at a conference singing. It wasn't the vigor of an area-wide singing. It wasn't the unity of a normal Sunday morning worship or even a Wednesday night devotional.
As Frances was there on the screen, I was reminded that we have members for whom singing is meaningful but not the same experience that most of us have. However, Revelation 21 tells us one day the difficulties of this place, the difficulties of these bodies will pass away. On that day some of our brethren will hear praise in song for the first time in harmony with every faithful person of all time. Isn't the thought of that exciting?
As Christians we should stay excited about heaven and want to tell everyone so they can experience that day too. Yet, I still fight a battle between that excitement and my fear.
Who am I depriving of a heavenly first by not telling them what they need to hear? When I meet them why do I see my own fear instead of the joy of perfection for a soul?
In the end, to be deprived of something for a little while here is of no comparison to receiving it perfectly and fully in the presence of God. That might be something physical we have no control over. That might be a little harmony in a relationship when we choose to do and say the things that God wills rather than the comfortable thing. In the end, all the things that concern us will be made whole, perfect, and in harmony.
-Bryan Norris
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