When I gather with others and we worship together, it is not heaven because …

I’m here, and I’m imperfect. We all have sin living inside us. The relationship between two selfish people in worship might be broken, and neither is excited about reconciling. The kingdom of darkness lurks in the shadows watching … waiting … working.

After our worship team has struggled with imperfect audio or ushers or attendance for a worship service, we joke that we “almost had a perfect Sunday.” We all nod and say, “Maybe next Sunday.” Then we laugh.

It’s not going to happen. Worship won’t be perfect this side of heaven. Which is why I love it. Worship here lifts our spirits to our perfect Savior, Jesus Christ, who is in heaven, far above us and this imperfect world. 

Worship inspires our faith to rise above the imperfections of this world. We claim the new mercies and strength of Jesus we need to live in this world.

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:35,37).

Those things won’t be in heaven, but they are here now. Worshiping Jesus now, we rejoice in his inseparable love and in our invincible life of victory over all the imperfections. 

Praise God! There won’t be anything like it in heaven. See you in church!