January 21, 2024 - Now in the Choir

      My last blog was about Jodie Rife, a long-time friend who was singing when I last saw him.
      I received the news that Jodie passed into the arms of Jesus last evening.   I haven’t been told of what his passing was like, but I am more than confident that he was singing in his spirit “when the evening came.” 
      I am even more confident that Jodie is now singing in the heavenly choir with the saints. 
     There is a song that has become near to my heart in the last year.  Not knowing my fate in this world might have something to do with it.  I usually don’t quote stuff in these blogs, but today I will.  The song is called “Hymn of Heaven” by Phil Wickham.
 
      The words are very appropriate for today as Jodie’s family and our church deal with the wound of grief.
 
How I long to breathe the air of Heaven
Where pain is gone and mercy fills the streets
To look upon the One who bled to save me
And walk with Him for all eternity
 
And every prayer we prayed in desperation
The songs of faith we sang through doubt and fear
In the end, we'll see that it was worth it
When He returns to wipe away our tears
 
Then the third verse is the one that moves me as I think of Jodie:
And on that day, we join the resurrection
And stand beside the heroes of the faith
With one voice, a thousand generations
Sing, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain"
 
      In my mind’s eye I can see Jodie standing beside some of the great heroes of our faith, with voice lifted and arms raised.
 
The last verse:
So let it be today we shout the hymn of Heaven
With angels and the saints, we raise a mighty roar
Glory to our God who gave us life beyond the grave
Holy, holy is the Lord
 
      Glory to our God who gave us life beyond the grave.
 
      It is our faith and hope.
 
      It is Jodie’s reality.