I Can Only Imagine
By Martha Noebel

God's presence is so powerfully wonderful. It brings us into a oneness with God that cannot be explained and barely fathomed.


My favorite song, "I Can Only Imagine", won the award for Song of the Year at the Dove Awards, 2002. Songwriter/Singer Bart Millard of the group Mercy Me won the award. I was so excited. It is a wonderful song that always stirs my heart.

In the song, the thought is presented that we "can only imagine" what it will be like when we stand before God. Here are a few of the words:

I can only image what it will be like
When I walk by your side
I can only imagine what my eyes will see
When your face is before me
I can only imagine

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 image…I can only imagine

As I listened to the song on the radio, I envisioned myself in heaven. I was standing in the middle of a large crowd of people that were all facing Jesus Who was standing in front of His throne. I started jumping up and down waving my hands because I wanted Jesus to see me. I knew there was no way He could see all of us. But there I was with my little 5'3'' self, jumping up and down, waving my hands like a schoolgirl, trying to get God's attention. (Well, I guess I know now what I would do if I ever get that close to God. There would not be that quiet, shy, "nothing to say" thing going on. I would be too excited.)

Then all of a sudden I felt God speak to my heart. He spoke to me and I felt His presence. I saw a bright light shine over me at the very spot where I was standing (ok, jumping). He said He was with me and He made me feel like I was the only one there. His presence was so sweet. I knew I was so important to Him. I felt His awesome love for me.

He knows how to make each of us feel special; as if we are the only ones around. Even in the crowd, I felt like He saw only me. And yet the people beside me felt the same way. God's presence is so powerfully wonderful. It brings us into a oneness with God that cannot be explained and barely fathomed.

I can only imagine…what about you? Can you see yourself smiling in the face of God? Can you laugh with great joy knowing God loves you so much that others seem to disappear when you need an audience alone with Him? Imagine it…because it's real.

cbn