I have been enjoying Blessings Offor's hit "Tin Roof", a song which was also made popular by Chris Tomlin. Ofor is a Nigerian-born singer songwriter who was born partially blind and became completely so at the age of 10. The title of the song is a curiosity and here are some of the lyrics:
Maybe the streets are gold and there's a table with plenty room
Maybe we don't grow old and we got nothing to lose
Maybe in the promise land, there's a choir when you walk through
Oh, but I pray Heaven is like rain on a tin roof
Washing away Washing away my sorrows
Giving me faith Giving me faith to follow a new tomorrow
They tell me in the promised land
There are mansions to choose
Oh, but I pray Heaven is like rain on a tin roof
So, what is "rain on a tin roof?" While the afterlife hold promises of eternal youth, freedom from suffering and transcendence, the writer hopes that heaven is also about the simple pleasures of life, such as listening to the sound of rain on a tin roof. He hopes that the rain will wash away all sorrows and renew us to live again.
A friend who shared that he has experienced what it was like to be in heaven, told me privately that in heaven, there is "not a care in the world."
This view of the afterlife should not surprise us as Jesus often talk about rest and peace. He promised in Matthew 11:28: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." The writer of Hebrews said 4:1, "Now those who believed have entered that rest."
The fact is, in this life, we live with many cares and worries. We care for our sickly elders or our vulnerable infants. We have painful memories which seem to never leave us. We struggle with our sinful desires which often cause us to live life with regrets. We have work responsibilities which seem unending. I can recall this look of despair of my burnt-out building and facilities staff who was lamenting that there is no end to his work.
And so we relish those vacation moments where we can live each day; carefree and without our usual responsibilities. These can be moments of blessing sand restoration. Unfortunately some resort to other short-termed reliefs with very serious hangovers and only deepens one's mired condition.
In all these, the Bible urge us constantly to "Cast our burdens on Him for He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7). We may be ravaged by cares of this life, troubles and sin. In this life, we need to learn to cast these on Him. He stills say to each of us..."Come away..." There will be storms but we can have peace in the midst of it.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7
This needs to be our aim in this life. We cannot escape the responsibilities of a human life. But in the midst of it, we can learn to draw from the Prince of Peace.
And one day - and we should look forward to this - to be completely free, "without a care in the world." To just relish the sounds of rain on a tin roof. And when we see our Lord face to face, we will also remember these lyrics from MercyMe "I can only Imagine":
Surrounded by Your glory
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for You, Jesus
Or in awe of You be still?
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