I Can Hardly Imagine <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Author: Pat Aman<\/p>\n\n\n\n
May 28, 2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tonight Joe and I watched the movie, \u201cI Can Only Imagine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first time I heard this song, I had to pull the car over and praise God, as tears of joy and love over-poured from my spirit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I did not even know the meaning or heart break and restoration that the writer of the great song went though, in his life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As we watched the movie, \u2018I Can Only Imagine\u2019 movie, we learned that the lead singer of MercyMe, Bart Millard shares his journey which inspired the famous song. Bart\u2019s past became a defining and controlling factor in his life. In order to become spiritually healthy, he had to recall the past: his mother\u2019s absence, his father\u2019s abuse, and his own leaving. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On some level, we can all resonate with Bart\u2019s past and had hurts growing up. Romans 14: 11 It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the LORD, ‘every knee will\u00a0 bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.'” Philippians 2:9-11Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee \u00a0bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is LORD, to the glory of God the Father.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, what is God like?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
First, John says that God is a father. By sending \u201chis one and only Son,\u201d God demonstrates that fatherhood is central to his identity and being. He has eternally existed as a Father, and the Son, Jesus Christ, has eternally enjoyed the fellowship of a good and perfect Father.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Second, John twice writes the famous words: God is love. God is not simply loving or full of love; He is love. In other words, love is not the primary thing and God secondary; \u201clove comes from God,\u201d meaning love can only be understood as an offspring of God\u2019s nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Third, John tells us that God is for us. The Father did not wait for us to find our way to Him; we could never make it on our own, not given our sin against Him. God demonstrates his love for us\u2014you and me and the whole world\u2014by sending his only Son, so \u201cthat we might live through him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We must realize that we are adopted into our Heavenly Father\u2019s family. But, for us to be adopted it required the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross. Adoption came at a great cost to the Father. We were adopted by God for the same reason that any parent adopts, out of sheer love. We are adopted \u201cin love\u201d and \u201cto the praise of his grace\u201d (Ephesians 1:4-6). God is not just full of love; God is love. Love is just an expression of God being God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In his great love, he plans adoption, pays the cost, becomes our Father, unites us to a whole family of brothers and sisters, offers us his immeasurable wealth, and gives us the assurance that nothing can separate us from him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He is our:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can we even realize or imagine what it will really be like when one day we return to our Heavenly Home?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What will we do when we stand before Father God?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I myself, can only just imagine. Because Father God has shown me more grace and mercy than I deserve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On my, I can hardly even imagine….<\/p>\n\n\n\n