Because Of You

There’s a place where the streets shine
With the glory of the Lamb.
There’s a way, we can go there,
We can live there beyond time.

Because of You, because of You,
Because of Your love,
Because of Your blood.

Each year I read through my Bible. On January 1^st I start at the beginning of Genesis with creation and a garden. Today, 31^st December, I finish the end of Revelation with final resolution, a new heaven, a new earth and a Holy City. The story is complete.

No more pain, no more sadness,
No more suffering, no more tears.
No more sin, no more sickness,
No injustice, no more death.

Because of You, because of You,
Because of Your love, because of Your blood

All our sins are washed away,
And we can live forever,
Now we have this hope,
Because of You.
Oh, we’ll see You face to face,
And we will dance together
In the city of our God,
Because of You.

In this final resolution, all of mankind’s mess is cleared up, all of the questions are answered, darkness is transformed by light, all pain, failure and suffering ends. Sadness becomes joy, war becomes peace, hate becomes love… and we have this certain hope ‘Because of You’, the You who loved and died.

There is joy everlasting,
There is gladness, there is peace.
There is wine ever flowing,
There’s a wedding, there’s a feast.

And in this final party, this never-ending last dance, the Bread of Life provides a feast. And I’m invited. I look forward to being there, with the one I have sought to love and serve, the one who provides me with hope and is my hope. I will see Him face to face.

Tomorrow is the beginning of 2024 – a day of new beginnings, new resolutions, new opportunities, a new year. Today I’m thinking about endings – the year ending, my life ending, time ending. And I have peace, contentment – and excitement!