February 15, 2004
sung to the tune of i can only imaginePosted by Bryan
When I was young, I was shocked and dismayed to learn that Rick Astley wasn't the tall black man from Detroit that I had pictured in my mind's eye. No, he was a scrawny pimply, white kid from England singing about love, loss, and broken hearts.
Never gonna give you up
Never gonna let you go
Never gonna somethin' somethin', or hurt youoooOOooo....
I don't think my preconceived notions ever match the reality once the two are forced to reconcile. I mean, I actually believed that the meat of Taco Bell was hiqh quality beef product, and not the "Grade D: Edible" that it really is.
Things are no different with the work of my life. Each and every time, I think I've some decent idea of what to expect with each job I take, only to discover that the challenges, the opportunities, the frustrations, and the growth all occur differently than I had expected. When I pastored, the things I thought I'd dislike I grew to enjoy. In my current work, the parts that I was really looking forward to doing are the aspects that I have been shocked to discover are my least favorite.
So, my (in)ability to "picture this" is pretty well-established. Even so, I read words that tell me about the home in which I will one day dwell, and I cannot help but to start imagining how it will be:
- immense light
- no darkness
- transparent walls
- mansions for everyone
- total contentment
- no sin
- bejeweled city gates
- golden streets
- peace
- Jesus, in His fullness
I try to picture it, and fail miserably...