I Can Only Imagine

Mark Klages
8 hours ago
2 min read

When I type those words, most readers will go straight to the Mercy Me song or maybe even the movie.

But Brian, Jake’s dad, will think about the things he and Jake will never get to do.

He’ll picture hunting trips and football games and Christmas mornings and birthday parties that will never happen.

Servant Leader, my heart breaks this morning for someone that I’ve never even met. You see, I’ve been following Jake, a young boy with cancer, and his and his family’s fight against the disease. Over the last year, Jake and his family have seen good days and bad. There were days when Jake was up playing, talking, and enjoying being a boy. And there were days when he was sick and unable to get out of bed.

But in all that, Brian remained positive, trusting in God’s wisdom and plan for Jake.

This morning, I read where Jake’s care is at a crossroads. He confirmed that medicine has done all it can do. Now, any healing is in God’s hands alone. And in reading that…

…I cried.

I cried because I can only imagine the pain Brian and the family are going through.

I cried because I can only imagine the angst and second-guessing going through the hearts and

minds of the doctors and nurses who have cared for Jake most of his life.

And I cried because this last 15 months of prayers have anchored Jake’s reality in my own soul, and that anchor leaves a gash when it shifts.

But, Servant Leader, mostly I cried because I know God is good and He makes hard decisions based on knowledge that would shatter our reality if we knew it.

I cried because even in the hardest times, I know we are never alone. Isaiah 41:10 says so.

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

And Hebrews 13:5-6 says,

For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear.

So, while my heart breaks for Brian, Jake, and their family, I am also reminded that we can only imagine how wonderful it will be when we are all reunited under Jesus in Heaven.

I’ll leave you with this. On Earth, we will face trials. We will struggle with a reality that makes us question God’s plan. We will even ask God, “Why?” It’s in those times that prayers of people we’ve never met make a difference.

Pray for Jake and Brian and their family today, Servant Leader.

Pray for God’s presence and comfort and remind us all that God is always with them, now in Jake’s most troubling days…

…and in eternity.

Surrounded by Your glory

What will my heart feel?

Will I dance for You Jesus

Or in awe of You be still?

Will I stand in Your presence

Or to my knees, will I fall?

Will I sing hallelujah?

Will I be able to speak at all?

I can only imagine