I Can Only Imagine: A Memoir

This was such a wonderful book!

There is so much of God and His goodness in it, so much honor and glory given to Him. He is the center, and His love and kindness are shown through each persons life.

Going into this read I had no idea the story behind the song, 'I Can Only Imagine.' It's always been one of my favorites, as it is so many others, but I wasn't expecting it's beauty to deepen.

This story was so beautiful, a story of redemption, forgiveness and how God changes those of us who humble themselves before Him.

The back cover says here:
 
"MercyMe’s crossover hit, “I Can Only Imagine,” has touched millions of people around the world. But few know about the pain, redemption, and healing that inspired the song. Now Bart Millard, award-winning recording artist and lead singer of MercyMe, shares how his dad’s transformation from abusive father to man of God sparked a divine moment in music history."

In this book you will see how God is working through each circumstance, each experience, each person, and it is so moving. Make sure you have plenty of tissues at hand!

When God changes a heart it is often slow going, a digging deep and a painful burning down so that a new life can begin. Bart shares this progress not only in his dad, but also in himself. He is open and honest and I appreciated that, because it always makes room for others to be open and honest as well.

The ending of Bart's dad's life was painful, as he suffered and died from cancer. But Bart reminds us that even though some may say his dad got what he deserved, God had a different plan. A plan of grace. This reminded me of what I've been studying in Isaiah.

I've been studying Isaiah 53:5...

"But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed."

...and learning that this verse is about salvation, rather than physical healing. He went through this punishment for our peace to give us salvation.

1 Peter 2:24-25 confirms this:

"...who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. "

Peter reminds believers that we have died to sin and live for righteousness through Christ boring our sins in His own body. The stripes Christ bore have healed us from sin to righteousness.

Bart's dad went through a lot of physical pain in his last days, but God was healing him in a better way. Through Christ, Bart's dad found true healing, the healing that comes from the stripes on the back of Jesus.

A forever healing that eternally saves. A healing that is open to all of us.

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

I can't tell you how much I recommend this book. It was just so good. I also loved that Bart included an appendix at the back on our identity in Christ, which shares 75 verses to remind us of who we are in Him.

This has been made into a movie and I'm hoping they stuck to the books focus on the Lord. I'm looking forward to watching it. : )

Now go read this book!



Buy it HERE on Amazon