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I Can Only Imagine – The Movie

One of the hottest movies across the nation right now is, “I Can Only Imagine”, a musical biopic which tells the backstory of how a song came to exist. The movie is taking America by storm and is the true story of a son who has suffered both emotional and physical abuse at the hands of his father. When the father is diagnosed with terminal cancer, he turns his life over to God, finds redemption, and his life is transformed. The restored relationship between father and son, inspires the writing of the hit song, “I Can Only Imagine,” the most successful Christian song of all time. The song imagines what it will be like in heaven when we get to meet our heavenly father.

Written and performed by MercyMe, front man Bart Millard, the song’s message, and similarly, the movie, was inspired by faith and forgiveness, two amazing gifts Bart, through his love for Jesus Christ, gave his earthly father. They were completely contrary to the monstrously abusive acts that his father imposed on him, the acts which inspired the tune.

More powerful than any earthly love, the song embodies the wonderment of every Christian’s anticipation of how they will feel the day they finally get to meet their Heavenly Father and delivers the fact that everything in life prepares us for that moment. The most important question everyone must ask of themselves, “What happens when I die?” We can only imagine what heaven will be like, but we can be certain that when we die, we will go there.

The Bible is clear. We are dead in our sins. There is not one thing we can do to fix our sin problem. But God, being rich in mercy, forgives us of our sins. It is God’s gift (Eph. 2:1-9). In the moment that we accept Christ as Savior our destiny is decided. Our life and future are secure, and from that moment on, our troubles and hardships become a part of our testimony, wherein we shine brightest in times of darkness, because of this Good News!

Application: We have all experienced personal trauma in some form or another in this life. We all bear the scars of pain from relationships, whether it be from our parents, spouses, children or friends. Most of us carry it with us our entire life. This common ground for all humanity is what makes the movie relatable and it works for the same reason the song does: God lightens the burden of the pain people are carrying today. He gives them hope in His power that eases all burdens and removes all pain.

When your friends comment on the movie, tell them an experience wherein you found:

• Forgiveness in your faith
• Healing from your pain
• Strength in your weakness through God

In addition, when an unbeliever you know is going through hardships, troubled times, or is enduring pain in their life, you can suggest to them to see the movie, I Can Only Imagine, and they can begin to learn, through the movie, the love, grace, and forgiveness of Jesus Christ.

Fact: I Can Only Imagine claimed the #3 spot at the box office and grossed $55 million thus far — huge success!
FoxNews.com

Reference Quotes and Scriptures:

“One’s dignity may be assaulted, vandalized and cruelly mocked, but it can never be taken away unless it is surrendered.”
Michael J. Fox

“God wants you to be delivered from what you have done and from what has been done to you — Both are equally important to Him.”
Joyce Meyer

“God tests His people through hardships.”
John Piper

The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked, and the one who loves violence His soul hates.
Psalm 11:5

Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God has forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:32

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:17-18

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Romans 8:18