I Can Only Imagine

Luke 5:1-11 The Message

1Once when he was standing on the shore of Lake Gennesaret, the crowd was pushing in on him to better hear the Word of God. 2He noticed two boats tied up. The fishermen had just left them and were out scrubbing their nets. 3He climbed into the boat that was Simon's and asked him to put out a little from the shore. Sitting there, using the boat for a pulpit, he taught the crowd.

4When he finished teaching, he said to Simon, "Push out into deep water and let your nets out for a catch."

5Simon said, "Master, we've been fishing hard all night and haven't caught even a minnow. But if you say so, I'll let out the nets." 6It was no sooner said than done--a huge haul of fish, straining the nets past capacity. 7They waved to their partners in the other boat to come help them. They filled both boats, nearly swamping them with the catch.

8Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell to his knees before Jesus. "Master, leave. I'm a sinner and can't handle this holiness. Leave me to myself." 9When they pulled in that catch of fish, awe overwhelmed Simon and everyone with him. 10It was the same with James and John, Zebedee's sons, coworkers with Simon.

Jesus said to Simon, "There is nothing to fear. From now on you'll be fishing for men and women." 11They pulled their boats up on the beach, left them, nets and all, and followed him.

There is something about Simon’s first glimpse of Jesus’ glory that touches me deeply. Perhaps this is my first lesson in understanding the heart of worship – that it cannot be forced, that it cannot be elicited through artificial means, but only when we are awash with an overwhelming awe of His glory.

Although never quite an adequate parallel – but sufficient to get my point across – I guess we can say that worship is like the time when we reach the climax of a movie and find ourselves rooted in our seats with our eyes burning with hot tears (most often hoping that no one can see us respond this way in spite of ourselves), thoroughly moved by the poignancy of the moment as we behold the lives of the central characters and their acts of love, heroism and sacrifice.

In one simple act, everything was put into perspective as Simon Peter beheld the power, sovereignty and holiness of God, which drove him to his knees to plead that he be separated from something or Someone so much bigger than himself: ‘Master, leave,’ said Simon, ‘I’m a sinner and can’t handle this holiness. Leave me to myself.’ (Luke 5:8) Yet in the same breath, Jesus stood between what seemed like the great eternal divide between a Holy God and a Fallen Humanity as He said to Simon, ‘There is nothing to fear. From now on you’ll be fishing for men and women.’ (Luke 5:9)

I am reminded of the words of MercyMe’s I Can Only Imagine:

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
I can only imagine

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 Halelluja?
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine
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
I can only imagine

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
I can only imagine

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
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
I can only imagine

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


In my sin, I find grace in the One who has stood and continually stands in the gap of the great eternal divide. Surrounded by His glory, what will me heart feel? Will I dance for my Jesus? Or in awe of Him be still? Will I stand in His 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 all I will do is forever, forever worship You.