Ryan went home and went to bed. He set his alarm to nine o' clock in the morning. He excited. His alarm went off and he got up. He took a shower,got dressed,and ate some breakfast. He had five minutes til he had to leave so he just sat in his kitchen. While he was driving to the church,he got butterflies in his stomach. It took 15 minutes to get there. He parked his car and went inside. The first person who he saw when he walked in was Chad. "Hey man,how are you,"asked Chad. "I'm good,I thought I was going to die waiting for Sunday to get here,"said Ryan while shaking hands with him. "Hey Ryan,how are you,I haven't seen you since you were 18,"said Tami. She was his youth pastor. "I know it's been forever,"said Ryan still smiling. "So what do you do now,"asked Tami. "I'm a CSI." "Really,that sounds fun,"said Tami while hugging him. Music started coming from the sanctuary. "Come on Ryan,lets go sit,"said Tami as she led him to where she sits.
Ryan couldn't wait for the sermon. He participated in everything,offering,praise and worship. Now,the sermon was next. Chad came up to the pulpit. "Has anyone ever had such a hard time. I mean,first everything seems okay,then next you're in this storm and it feels like no one cares and people who used to like you now suddenly despise you. Isaiah 43:2 says "When you go through deep waters I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression,you will not be burned up;the flames will not consume you. Wow,what a powerful verse. Maybe you were saved,then you strayed off. You use to have a relationship with God,now you don't even remember if you were saved or not." "Every head bowed and every eye closed,if you have never said the sinner's prayer,raise your hand. If you wanna recommit your life to Christ,raise your hand. If you raised your hand for either of them,come down to this altar."
Ryan got out of his seat and went down to the altar. He was actually doing it,he was actually getting back the relationship he lost with God. Chad came down and prayed with him. Ryan started crying and he didn't care. All the things he had done wrong were coming out and felt a huge weight being lifted. He prayed the sinner's prayer and was down there for 30 minutes. When he left the altar,he felt forgiveness towards the people at the lab and love for everyone of them. He talked to Chad about finding a Christian radio station. Chad suggested K-love. Ryan was on his way home and he turned it to that station. He heard the song and new he made the right choice.
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