A Happy Crowd | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: A Happy Crowd | Previous Challenge Entry
By Pat Small
07/17/16
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The family gathered in front of the coffin. The deceased farmer’s shell was dressed in coveralls, a well-worn plaid shirt, and work boots. The floral bouquet included summer squash and okra. Their voices rose with a tremor, filling the little church with strains of an old spiritual. “Soon and very soon, we’re going to see the king.” Were the angels looking over the rim of heaven echoing the refrain as the old gentleman, now in his new body, sang along with his family?

I don’t know, but in my mind’s eye I can see it happening just that way. The glories of heaven are, I’m sure, far beyond anything we can imagine. Nevertheless, the very idea brings to mind a host of songs, hymns and spirituals that describe that great celebration in heaven when all the born again will attend the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Of course, all good marriage ceremonies incorporate music.

“When We All Get to Heaven”, “In the Sweet Bye and Bye”, “Beulah Land”, and “When the Saints Go Marching In” are but a few of the rhythms that draw our minds to our glorious inheritance. Once we arrive though, it makes sense to me that our songs will take a different tone. My guess is they will be more along the line of “Holy, Holy, Holy” as we join hands before God, the Father.

On the other hand, we may meet first in the air. Listening to a favorite compact disc today, I heard that lively old song “What a meeting in the air, what a glorious jubilee, all of heaven will be there…”. The Christian has so much to anticipate. Meeting Jesus who died for us, gathering before our Lord to sing praises and worship to our king, and hugging friends and family who have gone on ahead of us.
And imagine this. We can sit down with King David and hear of his exploits, his sins, and his restoration. Or Queen Esther. What stories she will be able to tell us. What about Ruth and Naomi as they recount their return to their home, Ruth’s meeting with Boaz, and their happily ever after story?

New Testament heroes will thrill as well. Personally, I can’t wait to meet Peter. He and I share some personality traits. Of course, those will be a thing of the past. No more ears to cut off in heaven. There’s Lois and Lydia, and Timothy and Paul and Dr. Luke and …. Fishermen will, no doubt, have a lot to discuss with those disciples who were anglers. Will there be bragging about their catch when Jesus directed them where to cast the net?

We could go on naming names of those we want to see, questions we want to ask, and the joy of seeing folks we had been unsure of meeting. No worries. In heaven, we won’t be in a rush. If it takes a couple of hundred years to hear someone’s story, that will be no big deal. We have all eternity!

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