Jan and I have been listening to some rare, old, forgotten hymns called Appalachian Soul Hymns, and both our spirits and souls have been touched. We noticed so many of the words point to Heaven. While watering the garden at 6 am this morning, I heard these sounds coming through the kitchen window when I saw Jan dancing to these words:

“I’ve been a pilgrim on this weary dusty road…looking for a place where the wanderers rest…I can see a distant light shining through the dark. They say there is no need for the moon, for the sun—for the glory of the Maker is the Shining One. The walls are made of jasper and the streets of glass—and the sorrow of the ages will finally pass—when the righteous walk through the Gates of Pearl.”

There is a thread across Scriptures, where hearts are stirred to look beyond Earth’s troubles—to look for the coming King. True hope is tied securely to the Creator and Redeemer. And in the waiting, glimpses of Him and His promise of eternity with Him transform His people.

God said: “Look! I am creating new heavens and a new earth, and no one will even think about the old ones anymore. Be glad; rejoice forever in my creation!” (Isaiah 65:17-18). Peter wrote, “We are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness” (II Peter 3:13). This is what Stephen saw as he was being stoned to death for his faith. “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!” (Acts 7:56).

Singing, even dancing, to words pointing to Heaven stirs our hope.