I can only imagine.

It was the trip of a lifetime. It was a trip I couldn’t have planned or coordinated if I sat down and shared every hope and dream. It was a trip I didn’t expect.

It was 11pm on Friday night. I realize the buzz I’m hearing is not in my dream, it’s my phone. I answer and hear, “They aren’t coming, the trip is cancelled.”

40 students would not be boarding their flight to Italy the next day. I would not be buying them metro passes. I would not be making dinner reservations. I would not be leading a tour for the next 10 days.

Instead I was handed a gift. An all expense paid trip through Italy. The tickets were purchased, the hotels booked. With two good friends I saw and ate everything beautiful in Italy. I didn’t expect that.

It was just the start…

Italy:

My best friend from birth was teaching a class in Rome the same week I would be there.

My old coworker proposed to his girlfriend the week of my visit and invited me to join the celebration.

I saw a friend from Staunton on her last week of finals.

I worked out with my dear friends at the gym.

I saw all my favorite museums and art in a new way.

Greece:

I saw the biggest smile as a man put on glasses for the first time.

An evening debrief with students from my second team turned into an emergency situation as we watched a young girl cling to each breath.

I sat with a young woman as tears fell while she shared the story of her sister’s passing.

I walked the streets as a man told me about the abuse he had endured.

I sat on a boat facing the Greek Islands as we talked about Jesus.

Barcelona:

I sat on the beach with my friend and shared the hope I’ve found in Christ.

And here was the moment. It was our last stop on the journey. It had been so built up in my heart and mind. 

The Sagrada Familia church was the picture of this trip. I had all the expectations going in. And I was afraid. Afraid that it wouldn’t live up to the expectations. Walking in I could hear the drumroll.

It was more than I could have expected. It wasn’t what I expected. It was everything. I stood there, I stood under the light, and I listened to the song, “I Can Only Imagine” by Mercy Me in my headphones. It’s a song about the day we will meet Jesus. He says, “I can only imagine what it will feel like to stand in the sun and to stand in His glory.” I stood and I worshipped. It was a picture of expectations that we have for eternity. That’s what we get to look forward to. It won’t disappoint and it won’t let us down because we will get to stand in front of Him. We get to look forward to that day with hope and expectation.

I can only imagine.