I Can Only Imagine

by Tim Frankovich

Purpose: Showing different worship styles and imagining what it will be like when we meet Jesus.

Cast:

James

John

Jennifer

Joan

Props: Table, Chairs

Script:

(Opening set-up: James and John are sitting at a table, facing the audience, talking to each other.)

James: No, see, that's my point. Since God is eternal, wouldn't He sort of be like a circle, with no beginning or ending?

John: Ow. I don't know. Trying to think about eternity makes my head hurt.

James: Well, think about it this way: if eternity was Interstate 10, the entire history of earth would be smaller than a pothole.

John: That's us - eternity's pothole.

(Girls enter)

Jennifer: Hey, guys, what's up?

(Greetings, hellos, etc., as girls are seated.)

John: We were just... (pauses and stares off into space) contemplating eternity...

Joan: On a Monday?

James: Well, it wasn't on purpose. John is reading the Left Behind books, and we started talking about what would happen if the rapture happened and we were pulled into heaven and had ALL of eternity before us.

Jennifer: That'll blow your mind.

John: You said it. Eternity's pothole.

Jennifer: Huh?

James: Never mind. It was a dumb illustration.

Joan: I think, for your minds, it might be easier to imagine something a little... smaller.

James: Oh, thanks a lot.

Jennifer: Seriously, though, imagine what it's going to be like that first MOMENT of eternity, not all of eternity. What will it be like when we first see Jesus?

John: Wow. Cool...

Joan: I think I'd be, like, frozen. I would just stand there in total awe.

Jennifer: Not me. I'd be on my knees in a second.

John: I'd be dancing and leaping and running in circles...

James: That's because you go to that charismatic church.

Jennifer (dreamily): Just think about it. I'd be telling Him how much I love Him...

John: Shouting "Hallelujah!"

Joan: I don't know if I'd be able to say anything...

James: How do any of you know?

Jennifer: What do you mean?

James: I mean: we're talking about a situation that none of us has any experience to compare with. We're talking about standing in the presence of the God of eternity. How can any of us know how we're going to react?

Joan (thoughtfully): We can't, I suppose. After all, we have nothing to compare it with.

James: Of all the ways we worship Him here on earth, which one of them will be what we do when we first see Him? We just can't know.

Jennifer: We can only imagine.

(Music starts. Jennifer sings first verse.)

I can only imagine what it will be like
When I walk by Your side
I can only imagine what my eyes will see
When Your face is before me
I can only imagine, I can only imagine

(all join)

Surrounded by Your glory,
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for You, Jesus,
Or in awe of You be still?
Will I stand in Your presence,
Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah?
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine, I can only imagine.

I can only imagine when that day comes
And I find myself standing in the Son.
I can only imagine when all I will do
Is forever, forever worship You.
I can only imagine, I can only imagine.

(repeat chorus twice)

(As song progresses, all join in standing, one by one. When song ends, kids silently leave.)

"I Can Only Imagine" is by Bart Millard of the group "Mercy Me"