Today’s song is not from the 60’s or 70’s, but it is by one of the best songwriters from those years, John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival. Fogerty began a solo career after CCR broke up in 1972. He wrote “Don’t You Wish it Was True?” for his 2005 album Revival. While John Lennon wanted us to imagine how nice it would be without heaven, Fogerty imagines how nice it would be if there was a heaven.
DON’T YOU WISH IT WAS TRUE by John Fogerty
For official video go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cyZvqetODY
I dreamed I walked in heaven just the other night
There was so much beauty, so much light
Don’t you wish it was true?…
An angel took my hand
Said you don’t have to hurry
Got all the time in the world don’t worry
Don’t you wish it was true
Lord don’t you wish it was true
What if tomorrow everybody was your friend
Anyone could take you in
No matter what or where you been
What if tomorrow everybody had enough
The world wasn’t quite so rough
Lord don’t you wish it was true
He said the worlds gonna change and it’s startin’ today
There’ll be no more armies, no more hate
Don’t you wish it was true
Don’t you wish it was true
And all the little children will live happily
There’ll be singin’ and laughter
Sweet harmony
Don’t you wish it was true
Lord don’t you wish it was true
What if tomorrow everybody under the sun
Was happy just to live as one
No borders or battles to be won
What if tomorrow everybody was your friend
Happiness would never end
Lord, Don’t you wish it was true…
Alright!… What a beautiful day!
John Fogerty is just imagining how nice it would be if this was true, but his song gives a beautiful description of heaven as it is described in the Bible. In a previous meditation I wrote about our frustration with time. The song says, “You don’t have to hurry, got all the time in the world, don’t worry.“ Fogerty sings, “What if tomorrow everybody was your friend, anyone could take you in, no matter what, or where you been;” and that is a wonderful description of the Gospel. When you turn to God, God accepts you no matter what, no matter where you’ve been or what you’ve done. And then, “No armies, no hate, everyone lives as one, happiness would never end– Don’t you wish it was true?” There is a longing there not only for more time, but for a better world. I am indeed frustrated by the swift passage of time, but I don’t think I’d want to live in this sad world forever. In fact, I am sometimes getting a little tired of it already. Our longing is not only for more time, but for a better place, and John Fogerty has written a beautiful song about that longing. Sadly, I am quite sure that for John Fogerty this is only a wish. I’ve seen nothing about him in any interviews, or on his website, or anywhere, that even hints at any kind of faith.
But what is expressed as a mere wish in this song, is a solid hope for those who believe in Jesus. I did not always believe in this hope of eternal life in heaven. It is rather incredible to think that a dead body can live again. But after many questions and much study, I did become convinced of the truth of the New Testament accounts that Jesus, at a specific point and time in history, did rise from the dead; and that he promises the same resurrection for all who believe in him. That is another story for another day, but this is not just a wish for me, it is a solid hope built on something I believe to be true. This is not just based on what I have imagined, but but on what I have examined.
One more thing about this song. The video that goes with it (see above link) is wonderful. It goes back and forth between John Fogerty playing the guitar, and a bunch of kids running around, playing on a farm. Perhaps these are his own grandchildren (he’s 68 now). I like that, because it has been the kids in my life that make me more than anything wish that time could stand still; first my own kids, and now my grandkids. Kids have to know who is boss or they can make your life miserable; but then once that is established, kids are wonderful; so cute, so trusting, and so loving. I love my four grandchildren and they love me, and I wish I could stop the time right now. They are carefree and fun and so full of the joy of living right now, but I know what is coming for them. I know how they will grow up, and become teenagers and rebellious. And I know how they will get hurt and have many troubles, and I worry about them. Soon they will be adults and then not have any more time for grandma and grandpa. I know how that goes. I wish we could just find a good time in life and then hit a pause button. Kids are at the perfect age for just such a short time, and that time goes by so quickly. Just like all of life.
But in heaven, “All the little children will live happily,” and “you don‘t have to hurry, got all the time in the world, don’t worry; don’t you wish it was true?”
It is true.
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Revelation 21:1, 3-5 — Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea… And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
John 14:1-3 — (Jesus said), “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
John 3:16 — For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
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Lord Jesus, you have prepared a wonderful place for us. Prepare us, also, for that place. Amen.