I can only imagine!!

 So if Jesus were to walk into the room in which I sit typing, what would I do? We were discussing it at small group a couple of weeks ago.

What I think I would do is stare in wonder for a split-second, and then run up and give him a big bear hug. I have longed for him so long that’s surely what I would do.

That is what Mary did, when she saw him in the garden, so much so that he tells her, Noli me Tangere. Do not touch me.

But it depends on the guise in which he appears. When he appeared to John, his eyes were like blazing fire. ¹⁵  his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. ¹⁶  His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.

And John falls at his feet “like one dead.”

If he comes in glory, I too would fall at his feet, in worship and awe.

Moses was told he could not see God: the glory would kill him.

When Isaiah has his joyful vision of the Lord seated on his throne with the train of his throne filling the temple with glory and of the seraphim around the throne, singing  Holy, Holy Holy is the Lord God of Hosts, the whole earth is full of glory, he is quite undone. “Woe is me,” he says. “For I am a man of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”

So much depends on the aspect in which Christ will show himself to us. Will he be like a humble gardener, whom Mary attempts to bear hug? Or he his face be shining like the sun as the apostles saw him at the transfiguration so that even the brash Peter fell face down to the ground, terrified.

What will we do? We can only imagine.

I saw a documentary on Christian history in the well-done Christian theme park in Florida, The Holy Land Experience. It concludes with the Parousia, in which, one by one, people from every race and tongue and people and nation walk towards Jesus, absolute joy on their faces. I looked around me, and I saw people there in the audience, from every race and tongue and people and nation. It was a fore-glimpse of heaven. My eyes filled with tears of joy.

I love this life, but I so want to see you, Jesus, in the midst of it. And as for then, when I really see you, well, 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

[Chorus:]
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