A memory from my childhood calls me forward like the pull of gravity—a hope of regaining something that never was, but yet will be. In the hot and humid Japanese summers, we would gather on Sunday evenings on the fairway just off the first green of the golf course at Lake Nojiri. Families would gather from their cabins, spreading blankets on the neatly cut grass, missionaries gathering for a bit of respite, coming from distant places: Sweden and Germany, England and Australia, Canada and the United States, gathering along with so many friends from Japan. Men would carry in an old pump organ. Worn hymnals were passed around. All the while people kept gathering, making a wider and wider circle. The adults waved as friends arrived. Children played tag until we were ready to begin.

After one of the missionaries had said a prayer, we would sing the old hymns and gospel songs, mostly in English but sometimes in Swedish. If you had put those missionaries in a room to discuss theology, there would have been much conflict. Yet, in that place united by song and the shared purpose of proclaiming the good news of Jesus, I had an imperfect taste of a perfect heaven. I remember leaning against Momma’s side encircled by her arms. Dad was as close to a state of peace as he’d ever be, the stress of a missionary’s life momentarily suspended.

Those memories haunt me, memories of days that can never be recaptured, but memories that draw me forward—like the pull of gravity—knowing that one day we will gather by grace and through faith, people from every tribe and nation, no longer divided by creed or theology, but united by the very presence of Jesus. And I suspect that the music—the worship given—will be unparalleled with anything we have ever heard! And we will be surrounded by all those who now are distant, the memories of whom are as fragile as dew on the grass. Everything we have been waiting for will be realized! And finally—at last—we will be together.

And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth." Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing." And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, "To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever." And the four living creatures kept saying, "Amen." And the elders fell down and worshiped. Revelation 5:9-14 (NASB)