Have you ever tried to figure out what it is that God wants from us? 

The other day I was listening to my least favorite Christian song, “I Can Only Imagine.” I can’t begin to describe how much I hate that song.

I can only imagine
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

[Chorus:]

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 imagine
I can only imagine
When that day comes
And I find myself
Standing in the Son

I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever
Forever worship You
I can only imagine

[Chorus]

I can only imagine
I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever, forever worship you

Gag. With all due respect to MercyMe and with no criticism of their good intentions, I’m thinking that “I Can Only Imagine” offers a vision of heaven only a religious fanatic could enjoy. As a preacher myself, the idea of spending eternity in a never-ending worship service sounds like overtime to me. Most of the congregations I’ve served can barely put up with an hour of worship let alone a few billion years – or more.

And that part about dancing for Jesus?

I don’t think Jesus would go for dancing. I mean, during his stay among us Jesus loved eating good food and drinking good wine. But there’s nothing in the Bible to suggest that he liked dancing. I remember him saying, “Come and follow me” to his disciples, but never, “Let’s all get up and do a little salsa.”

Dancing for Jesus. I don’t think so. Besides, what would John the Baptist do while all the others  were out there writhing like a bunch of Presbyterians in heat?

I guess the underlying reason I hate this song is because its so much like everything else religious people try to force-feed the world – taking perfectly beautiful people living good lives and making them “religious” – as if God created the world to memorize bible verses, attend church services, and bow down to human leaders wearing stupid hats.

Have you ever noticed that Jesus never once led a Bible study? Never even told his followers to do Bible drill or organize a conference on “biblical family values.” Jesus never told folks to go to church although he did say some things about going to feed the hungry and other outrageous acts of mercy. Not only that, but when he did go to religious services he pretty much broke all the house rules. 

So what’s life all about if its not to make people act religious?

I think to answer that question we have to go back to the beginning.

I mean to The Beginning.

The real foundational question of life should be “Why are we here in the first place?”

As I read the text of Genesis 1 and 2, I find none of the stuff we were taught in catechism class about why we are here. To glorify God and enjoy him forever? Not in the text.

What IS in the text?

“Take care of the garden and go have sex.”

Did you know that?

Okay, for the sensitive ones out there God more accurately says,“Take care of the garden and go make babies.” But even you have to admit – you have to do the one to get the other.

That’s all I see in there. And by golly, these are both things people can do with our hands tied behind our backs and our pants down around our knees.

Oh sure, it’s true that not all of us can make babies.

But by God, we can TRY!

So maybe the true reason we’re here on this planet is to take care of the earth, enjoy sex, nurture healthy children, and live well.

And maybe that’s what goes on in heaven, too – that is, if Jesus was serious when he prayed that God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Now that’s something even I can imagine!