Cindy Powell

Been asking a lot of questions this week.  Don’t have a lot of answers–just questions …

Brian Johnson has a song called “What Does it Sound Like?”  The lyrics are simple: 

What does it sound like when we sing heaven’s songs?

What does it feel like when heaven comes down?

What does it look like when God is all around?

Let it come.

 

Each time I hear the song, my spirit is stirred in a deep way …

What will it sound like when we sing heaven’s songs?   When we join the saints and angels gathered around the throne? When we are united in love and truly sing with one heart, one mind, and one accord?  When there is no possibility of  distraction because all our energy, all our focus, and all our affection is steadfastly fixed upon the One seated on the throne? 

What will it feel like when heaven comes down?  When “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” is an overwhelming present-tense reality rather than a tagline to our prayers?  When the not yet becomes the now? When heaven so invades this earth that the two become one?

What will it look like when God is all around?  When his manifest presence is a shared reality so profound that it is no longer a personal experience open to subjective interpretation?  When all of our senses and all of our emotions are consumed by the light of his glory?  When our eyes behold the unfathomable beauty of the Bridegroom King?

What will it sound like?  What will it feel like?  What will it look like?

In the song, there is a transition.   A few small words change–and the entire song shifts:

This is what it sounds like when we sing heaven’s songs

This is what it feels like when heaven comes down

This is what it looks like when God is all around

Let it come.

 

I love the  faith and perspective in those words.  “We call forth those things that do not exist, as though they do” (paraphrase of Romans 4:17).   Even more, they tap into a current spiritual reality–“we are seated in heavenly realms with Christ” and we already are participants in the activities of heaven.  I get that.  I love that.  But I still want more.  

I’ve had glimpses.  I’ve had tastes.  But I want to know what it sounds like with my physical ears.  I want to know what it feels like with all of my senses.  I want to know what it looks like with my physical eyes.  And I want to share it with you–right here and right now.

Maybe the fullness won’t come until he does, but until then I long to know just as much as it’s possible to know…

So let it come. 

Lord, 

           My heart aches for more.  I long to give you more.  I long for us to give you more.  You are worthy of the purest worship.  You are worthy of our undivided attention and our undistracted affections.  I long to hear a symphony of praise arise from the earth–every tribe, every tongue, every nation–united in worship and purpose.  One voice, one heart, one accord–with many unique and distinct expressions.  Let our hearts begin to echo the cry in your own until we fully share your longing and your desire.  Oh Jesus, please, let it come!   ~Amen

 

Here’s a link to the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DnUpBcXCXQ