It is healthy to let our imaginations turn to eternity. Jon Ball, the regional coordinator for theological formation in InterVarsity, regularly asks us this question, “What are you looking forward to in the new creation?” This is not a question intended to make us ignore our present circumstances, but a question to help us stay grounded in the truth that the resurrected Jesus is real and that his everlasting kingdom transfigures our daily lives (2 Peter 1:10-19).
Mike and I were talking about eternity the other night and at one point Mike said, “I’m glad that we both have a song that takes us to heaven.” I laughed, but knew exactly what he meant. There are certain songs that make you feel like heaven is right here, right now. Songs that make you feel close to God and make you long for the day he will make all things new.
Today is our 4 year wedding anniversary. As a gift to Mike, I had our organist re-record the song that played as I walked down the aisle. It’s combines both of our “take us to heaven” songs. The first part of it is Mike’s song: Apotheosis by Austin Wintory, from the video game Journey. He says, “(Spoiler Alert!) The game is about trying to get to a destination and you can’t get there on your own…but you can be brought there. To me that is the gospel.”
At minute 2:40, my song overlaps with his song. It is the old hymn “I love to tell the story” by Kate Hankey:
I love to tell the story, for those who know it best
seem hungering and thirsting to hear it, like the rest.
And when, in scenes of glory, I sing the new, new song,
’twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long.
When I hear it, I envision us all together at the feet of Jesus recounting the stories of his faithfulness, and it never gets old.
Here are our songs put together, arranged and played by organist Fran Johnston:
What songs take you to heaven? What helps you remember the reality of Jesus’ everlasting kingdom?
Kelly Aalseth 