Finally got the promised snow. Churches cancelled, so I was having church “covid style” Sunday morning. I watched some original music by City Hills Worship (Knoxville, TN) – Great Stuff! Then I watched New Life Church, Canton, Ga (Pastor Allan is my brother) – also Great Stuff.

Then I noticed the Dove Awards video thumbnail just below the New Life video I was watching. You may have noticed that I shared the Dove Awards opening song for #SundaySongs. I wanted to talk about what happened to me while I was watching the Dove Awards in that post, but I decided to share their story then and share this story with a scripture.

I’m sure many of you have watched award shows before. I watch them sometimes, too. I love movies and tv, so I’m invested. But I wasn’t very far into this award show before I was crying. I’m not talking about tearing up. I was already tearing up while watching For King and Country. No, I’m talking about full-on UGLY CRY. At the time, I was thinking, “Why am I crying like this?” But I couldn’t stop.

Here’s the thing. I was so moved by the atmosphere in the room. Yes, these people were being recognized for their work, but the focus was on one person – JESUS. It wasn’t just a show. People were worshipping. Was everyone in the room 100% in it for God? Probably not. But the stark difference of what was happening that night compared to other awards shows or life in general was astounding to me.

I think what really started me off was seeing the host, Tauren Wells, standing there doing his opening bit, holding the WORD OF GOD in his hands. I still can’t pinpoint why I cried so violently. But here are some thoughts.

There was joy in seeing a place where everyone was like-minded. There was no need for agendas and pushing causes. They were all on the same side with the same cause. I saw peace. I saw love. I saw thoughtfulness.

But there was also sadness, though, realizing how different the world is from the things of God.

God was encouraging me by reminding me, “THIS IS NOT OUR HOME.” It’s temporary. That awards show was a little piece of Heaven. It’s great that we can have that from time to time in our temporary home. But there will come a day when we will experience the real heaven. Eyes on the prize, y’all!

He HAS gone to prepare a place. He prepared the WAY, too! But He prepared the way for everyone. Will everyone make it? No, sadly.

God was also calling me by reminding me to go out to Jerusalem, Judea, and the uttermost parts of the earth and compel them to come. (I’m still crying). As much as I would like to find and stay in little pieces of heaven here on earth with goosebumps and all, people need to see Jesus.

I will finish with this: Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll won Song of the Year for “Hard Faught Hallelujah.” When they went up to accept their award, they didn’t give a long list of thanks to the people who made it possible. They talked about the people who didn’t know Jesus. Jelly Roll called them “the least of these.” He said if people didn’t take time for “the least of these,” he wouldn’t be standing there.

Matthew 25:35-36
35 For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger, and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes, and you clothed me, I was sick, and you looked after me, I was in prison, and you came to visit me.’
Matthew 25:40
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Heaven is coming for us. Praise God! Can’t wait, but for now

“Let’s put faith to our feet and feet to our faith.” -Jelly Roll