HEAVENLY VOICES

365 Days of Thanksliving — Day 233

I could never have imagined twenty years ago that I’d be leading chapel services for a roomful of folks my parents’ age—and genuinely enjoying it, too. As you can probably guess, that’s exactly what I did today. Truly, it was such a lovely privilege.

Most months, I’m rushing to get out the door so I can get to the senior living facility on time—and by on time, I mean about 10 minutes early. You remember the rule, right? “Early is on time, and on time is late.” That’s my family’s motto, anyway. Thank you, US Navy and the Irondale Marching Knights. But anyway…

Ironically, I arrived at my office a few minutes later than I’d hoped. Yet, lickety-split, I organized my thoughts, notes, Bible, and tablet, and still had half an hour to spare. That was just enough time to snarf down a cinnamon-sugar cake donut and a perfectly ripe banana. (For all you banana aficionados, I’m talking about a yellow one with just a few brown streaks or spots: soft, sweet, and all that.) Again, anyway…

When I woke up this morning, one hymn kept repeating in my mind, and I knew I needed to include it in our service: “I Love to Tell the Story.” Oh, the story around that hymn. My good friend Sherm—probably one of the kindest, wisest, and wittiest Christian men I’ve ever met—loved that hymn like there was no tomorrow. Sherm was an encourager and a truth-teller.

When I needed correcting, Sherm didn’t hold back. Conversely, though, when I did it up right, Sherm was the first to offer an encouraging word. I’ll never forget the Sunday when Sherm came forward with the offering, winked, and said, “Best sermon you’ve ever given, kid!” That was Sherm. I said it in a sermon once: we need more Sherman Watts in this world. Sadly, my friend passed away a few years ago. Once more, anyway…

I know that’s a long detour, but today I was privileged to lead a roomful of Shermans in worship with song, prayer, Word, and Sacrament. We kicked off our service with the singing of “How Great Thou Art.” It felt just right when I was flipping through the chapel hymnal and selecting songs. I think I nailed it!

Like a heavenly choir of angels, their voices filled the room. Normally, my octogenarian friends are kinda quiet. This morning, though, they sang their hearts out. I had to compliment them, just as Sherm would have. “You all sound so wonderful this morning.” Wowzers. (Honestly, I wish my congregation sang like that, and they sing, let me tell ya!).

Well, we finished “How Great Thou Art,” then flipped the page to No. 195: “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less.” Just like before, they sang without a care in the world, making a joyful noise unto the Lord. Wowzers, I said to myself. This is different. I wondered if the Second Coming was on the horizon.

Keeping things in good order, I led us in prayer and then preached the Word; but then we circled back to sing our last hymn: “I Love to Tell the Story.” Once again, like a heavenly chorus, they sang and sang and sang with the biggest smiles on their faces and joy in their hearts. It was just such a sight to see and sound to hear. I couldn’t help but grin from ear to ear.

There’s something truly special about seeing Christians lit up with joy on the inside and praising the Lord as though they just stepped into heaven. The Apostle John’s vision of heaven tells us that one day we’ll all experience heavenly worship that puts anything on this earth to shame. John wrote:

Then I heard something like the voice of a vast multitude, like the sound of cascading waters, and like the rumbling of loud thunder, saying, Hallelujah, because our Lord God, the Almighty, reigns! Let us be glad, rejoice, and give him glory, because the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his bride has prepared herself. She was given fine linen to wear, bright and pure. For the fine linen represents the righteous acts of the saints. (Revelation 19:6–8, CSB)

After chapel ended, I got in a great visit, picked up a couple of sammies for the wifey, then drove home. On the way back to Comfrey, I reminisced about that wondrous service where a small gathering of retirees lifted their voices to the Lord.

Tonight, I’m thankful I was honored to lead and experience that wondrous worship; and grateful for the joy my senior friends have knowing their among the Lord’s heavenly voices.