In Young Empire鈥檚 song The Gates the group reflects a universal search for the Gates of Heaven:
鈥淣o, I won鈥檛 lose hope, no, I won鈥檛 lose sight
鈥淏ut heaven is a place I just can鈥檛 find
鈥淩un from the shadows and run to the light
鈥淩unning from a past I left behind
鈥淗aunted by a memory that I just can鈥檛 set free
鈥淪earching for the man that I used to be.鈥�
Like you and me, the lyricists鈥� acknowledge our distance from the light, from goodness. We all have sin in our lives that distances us from God. And yet we are haunted by a longing for the eternal, for God鈥檚 peace.
Recently I heard an ad that asked, 鈥淚f you could be anyone you wanted to be, who would you choose to be?鈥� There were suggestions: a sports celebrity, a world leader, an entertainer.
After some reflection I felt that I might just choose me. Maybe I鈥檝e tasted enough success in life to be content with who I am, but the turning point was the consideration that with God鈥檚 help we can become who we are meant to be.
In life鈥檚 journey we all have gifts and talents to use. We may be philosophers, social animators, leaders or just good followers, but we have a role to play in our world.
Empire鈥檚 song The Gates reflects our shortcoming:
鈥淚鈥檝e made my sacrifice
鈥淚n the ashes of bad life
鈥淗eaven is a place that I can鈥檛 find.鈥�
Our sins and failings bind us down when we would rather fly. But we can accept God鈥檚 redemptive gift of Jesus to unbind us. Sin can 鈥渉aunt me like a ghost鈥� the song suggests:
鈥淣o, I can鈥檛 lose hope, no, I won鈥檛 lose sight
鈥淎nd I won鈥檛 stop looking for heaven鈥檚 light
鈥淚 hear the angels singing when I close my eyes
鈥淎nd I can hear the bells ringing like a siren鈥檚 cry.鈥�
Heaven calls us; the angels guide us, and God often breaks through the order of nature to show us special signs and give us hope. All we need to do is watch and listen for His messages.
At the recent funeral of a close friend as we stood by the graveside in the crisp September air, suddenly the wind started to pick up. There was a rushing hum that filled our ears. I mused to myself that this would be hard not to notice. In a few moments it was gone.
Angel鈥檚 wings? It was one of heaven鈥檚 moments, a wonderful sign for us. As the song The Gates says, 鈥淵ou鈥檙e not alone, you鈥檙e not alone, you鈥檙e not alone.鈥�
Life鈥檚 journey is wonderful and exciting. Be quick to pack for the trip. 鈥淚 can feel it in my bones鈥 can hear the bell鈥檚 ringing,鈥� and I know we鈥檙e not alone.
鈥淣o, I can鈥檛 lose hope, no, I won鈥檛 lose sight
鈥淎nd I won鈥檛 stop looking for heaven鈥檚 light
鈥淚 hear the angels singing when I close my eyes
鈥淎nd I can hear the bells ringing like a siren鈥檚 cry.鈥�
Heaven is a place we can find.
