“We Are Not Home Yet” by Steven Curtis Chapman
… Ohh
Yeah
… To all the travelers
Pilgrims longing for a home
From one who walks with you
On this journey called life’s road
It is a long and winding road
… From one who’s seen the view
And dreamt of staying on the mountain’s high
And one who’s cried like you
Wanting so much just to lay down and die
… I offer this
We must remember this
… We are not home yet
We are not home yet
Keep on looking ahead
Let your heart not forget
We are not home yet
… Not home yet
Not home yet
… So close your eyes with me
And hear the Father saying, “Welcome home”
Let us find the strength
In all His promises to carry on
He said, “I’ll go prepare a place for you”
So let us not forget
… We are not home yet (not home yet)
We are not home yet (not home yet)
Keep on looking ahead
Let your heart not forget
We are not home yet (not home yet)
… We are not home yet (not home yet)
Keep on looking ahead
Let your heart not forget
We are not home yet
… No, no
I know there’ll be a moment
I know there’ll be a place
When we will see our Savior
And fall in His embrace
So let us not grow weary
Or too content to stay
‘Cause we are not home yet
… We are not home yet
Not home yet
… So let us journey on
… We are not home yet (not home yet)
We are not home yet (not home yet)
So keep on looking ahead
Let your heart not forget
We are not home yet, yet (not home yet)
… Oh, we are not home yet (not home yet)
So, keep on looking ahead
Let your heart not forget
We are not home yet (not home yet)
… Oh, we are not home yet (not home yet)
We are not home yet (not home yet)
We are not home yet
Not home yet
… We are not home yet
So let us journey on
Not home yet
We are not home yet
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Steven Curtis Chapman
Dear God, the sentiment of this song is to use the image of being with you in eternity to strengthen us on this road we walk here. I think that’s great, but it’s not how I work. I really don’t think about heaven or being with you that often. I think about the reality, as I understand reality in my limited human way, of walking with you in this world today. I take the chorus of this song and tell myself, “I am not home yet. I must press on.” Which is what he’s saying, but it seems like the next life is on his mind much more than it is on mine.
I’ve thought in the past week about getting to see a few loved ones who have died when I get to the afterlife with you. Specifically, the daughter my wife and I lost in 1995 and then my grandfather, about whom I wrote you yesterday. So there’s that. But I don’t think about just being in this amazing state of worship and filled with your magnificent presence continuously.
I have work to do today. Today is the culmination of a lot of work and prayer. We are putting on a marriage/discipleship seminar tonight and tomorrow morning for the entire community. I don’t know if we will have enough space for everyone. I hope we have “just enough.” I don’t want anyone to be turned away, but I also want every person there who can be there to be there. But you are in charge. I give the attendee list to you. You know I did what I could to get the word out.
I told my wife this morning that I am most concerned about my own pride tonight. I wish I could somehow not be the face of this thing because I know there is a part of me that is going to hope for praise. And praise is due only to you, not me. Help me to direct everyone with whom I speak today to you.
Father, if it only takes a spark to get a fire going, I am hopeful that today will be the continuation of a spark you gave to me in 2000 when I last heard this speaker in person. Holy Spirit, let your fire burn through our city for the glory of God. And Jesus, thank you for making all of this possible through your sacrifice and intercession. None of us would have a hope without you.
I pray this in the name of the one Triune God,
Amen