I Can Only Imagine —-

I CAN ONLY IMAGINE hits theaters this weekend. You know that already though. If you dabble at all in Christianity or read Christian media, you are well aware that a film has been made about the life behind the song “I Can Only Imagine.” The song, written by Bart Millard of the band MercyMe sold millions of copies and found radio success on formats that would likely not play any sort of faith-ish music.

If you don’t know about the film, you likely have been traveling extensively in the far east, you live in a cabin with no electricity or internet, or you exclusively consume your media via sports radio and MSNBC.

(BTW – that’s not a knock on either – I just can’t see those stations covering a film like this, especially mid-March-Madness!)

A year ago at the NRB convention, there were rumblings about an amazing, upcoming movie that was going to impact so many lives in 2018. The excellent script. The acting. The incredible true story behind a song that everyone knows and loves.

This year at the same convention, we got a sneak peek of the film referenced the year before.

So here’s the question:

Should you see I CAN ONLY IMAGINE this weekend?

The answer is simple. Yes.

This will be a spoiler-free review – so read on without fear.

I can be a bit cynical by nature, so films like this I take with a grain of salt. I love good storytelling, but let’s be honest – the faith-genre is still working out a few kinks. Great stories are often marred by less than average acting and more than average cheesy-dialogue.  But this…this one is different.

I CAN ONLY IMAGINE shares the story of what inspired the writing of the song. Anyone who’s been a fan of the band MercyMe will know that their lead singer, Bart Millard, comes off as one of those people you just want to be around. He’s always joyful, always seems to have something up his sleeve (have you seen their series of covers videos? Go to YouTube and search MercyMe Cover Song Grab Bag. You’ll lose an hour of your life, but you’ll have a GREAT hour of music and likely laugh quite a bit).

But Bart did not have a good childhood, and the abuse he endured from his father weaved through his early life and into his career.

If you have ever had to deal with abuse,

if it’s ever been hard to forgive someone,

if you have ever personally thought your past made it impossible for God, or others, to love you,

if you have a dream or a talent and you are afraid to go after it

if you have ever struggled in life and had music be your rescue…

This movie is for you.

Just go see it. Bring a friend. Bring some kleenex.

And then imagine…