Music has always been a big part of my life.
The Yeagley boys had one musical requirement — pound our way through several red John Thompson piano books under my mother’s direction. Then, and only then, could we choose an instrument to play. I chose accordion. But it was not uncommon to hear a trumpet, violin, cello, baritone, bassoon, or guitar playing in our house.
Musical memories punctuate my childhood and adult life.
I loved going to Washington, D.C. at Christmas. One year we attended the Christmas Eve service at the National Cathedral. The night was cold and we waited outside for the doors to open. Someone began singing carols as we waited, and soon hundreds of voices echoed under the stone-covered portico. Once inside I was in awe. Christmas certainly didn’t look or sound like that at my home church back in Hudson, Massachusetts!
Long before Watergate became synonymous with President Nixon, it was a popular place for concerts. We sat on the expansive steps between the Lincoln Monument and Potomac River listening to Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture being played from the floating band shell. I still remember the cannons that shook the ground at the end of that iconic song. Music to a little boy’s ears!
As a teenager I played in my church’s handbell choir. We played for a large camp meeting in Michigan. During our warm-up we couldn’t hit a lick! Nothing was working right. Our director, Mrs. Steele, huddled our group back stage before we played. She prayed with us and asked God to calm our nerves and make up for our shortcomings. And then it happened. God showed up! We played better than we had ever played before. God played handbells that afternoon!
Friday evenings at Andrews University were special. We sang hymns — with an organ. Pioneer Memorial Church had a big organ on which Dr. Becker reigned supreme. Oh, he could make that thing rumble. But I remember him most during quiet Friday vespers leading worship (we called it song service) from his organ bench. He used no music. A packed church of young people would sing with one voice that transported us Heavenward! His best playing was when he stopped. Quietly backing out, his hands rested on the organ bench and his voice would join with ours in praise to God!
My friend Leandro Bizama dreamed of performing his cantata, “What Kind of God,” at a large church conference in Atlanta. Leandro’s God is big. And when Leandro dreams big his God shows up. The choir and small orchestra made the long trip to Atlanta. Leandro continued to recruit voices and instruments in Atlanta. And while our numbers grew, I was still nervous.
Like years earlier in Michigan, Leandro prayed before we played. We had done all we could, but by earthly standards it seemed feeble. Then the same God that played handbells when I was a teenager showed up with reinforcements! God took our humble efforts and translated it into the music of Heaven that afternoon. People were moved. Tears flowed. God’s supreme sacrifice on the Cross was shared in Heaven’s universal language — music.
A few years ago church friends stayed together in a lakeside home. For the first time in my life (perhaps the last), we sang under the watchful eyes of a large stuffed moose over the fireplace mantel. Just one guitar and voices singing old gospel songs and choruses from memory. No one spoke. We just sang. And listened to God singing His blessing on us.
So what will music be like in Heaven? Will it be a John Rutter anthem? Or a Gaither Vocal Band favorite on steroids? Will Casting Crowns and MercyMe join forces for worship? Perhaps Jesus will grab His guitar and lead some quiet choruses. Or will it sound more like the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for the ages?
I’m not for sure, but I know that just like in Michigan and Atlanta — God will show up!
“And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea glass, having harps of God. They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: ‘Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints! Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, for Your judgments have been manifested.'” Revelation 15:2-5 NKJV
For just a few moments you may have to comb the long hair out of your eyes and imagine Heaven’s choir. It begins with reverent adoration and turns into full-throttle, full-throated praised to God. God has shown up and we have to sing His praise!
Bravo!