(I Thessalonians 4:16)
Maranatha is a cry of the heart
That's hopeful yet weary of waiting
While it may be joyful with the burdens it bears
It's sick with anticipating
To long for the Promised One day after day
And the promise that soon He'd return
It's certain that waiting's the most bitter lesson
A believing heart has to learn
Chorus:
Maranatha, How many more moments must this waiting last
Maranatha, we long for the time when all time is past
A commotion, a call then that will be all
Though it's not yet the hour
The minutes are ticking away
Maranatha is the shout of the few
Who for so long in history've been hiding
Who truly believe that the sound of that call
Might actually hasten His coming
For no eye has seen and no ear has yet heard
And no mind has ever conceived
The joy of the moment when He will appear
To the wonder of all who believe
Chorus:
Maranatha, how hungry we are just to see Your face
Parousia, to finally fall in one long embrace
A commotion, a call and that will be all
Though it's not yet the hour
The minutes are ticking away
Of all the Christian contemporary artists out there, Michael Card is by far my favorite. Not only does he provide me with biblical material to ponder, his music, his voice, his creativity are incredible. This is an older song, from somewhere in the 1990's, but it still remains one of my favorites. The disc is entitled "Present Reality" and I would encourage you to check it out, along with anything else he has done.
Okay, obviously this is all about longing for the coming of Christ, and how amazing it will be when we are finally with Him. No arguments from me! Endless communion with Him, infinite praise and worship...I'm there!
But (and feel free to disagree with me, here) I think this applies down here on earth too. I don't mean that this particular verse says that...but the lyrics of this song always remind me of how important it is to have time with our brothers and sisters, loved ones, better halves... :(). Consider the people that you don't see often enough; those people for whom you yearn. After a time of being apart, that reunion is just incredibly, almost painfully sweet.
Yesterday, although I was certainly not "caught up in the clouds, " I was flying in them. It was a gray, thickly-clouded, typical New England afternoon in November when I boarded the plane for Nashville. After slight turbulence, 30 minutes in a holding pattern over Detroit, a barely-made connection, absolutely NO air in the cabin (gasp, gasp, koff koff...), and luggage lost (but found! You GO, Northwest Airlines), I was FINALLY on the ground in Nashville, just a hair later than scheduled. I was queasy, clammy and a tad dizzy (yes, I know...some would say dizzy is my natural state. I roll my eyes expansively at all of youse), and thankfully, I had about an hour to recover before being met by the object of my affection. :) BTW, never underestimate the curative powers of pure ginger candy for post-flight tummy woes.
I sat against a pole in baggage claim, looking at the door as people came and went, studying anybody who was about his height and build (is that him?? No, he walks faster than that...nope...that's not him either). Finally, he emerged through the automatic doors, and my heart quickened.
When we finally fell into that long embrace, I could feel tears starting at the backs of my eyes. JOY! It is pure joy to be reunited with someone you love after a time of being apart. And this is only a glimpse of the joy that awaits us when all is said and done. JOY UNSPEAKABLE.
But while we wait, I will treasure and give thanks for these reunions. And for those of you whom I've not seen in a while, I joyfully anticipate reuniting with you, hopefully very soon.
In the meantime, may He pour out His joy upon you, this Thanksgiving week, and always. I am thankful beyond belief for Him...and for all of you.
~sail~
