Somewhere Out There

This world is a big place. But at the same time it often seems so small. In 1986, Steven Spielberg produced the animated film An American Tail. James Horner, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil wrote the hit single for this film. “Somewhere Out There” was performed by Linda Ronstadt and James Ingram. The words and theme of this song speak of the love between two people who have been separated by distance. But these two people remain joyful based on their belief that love will win out, that they will one day be reunited. The thought of the song is that their love will “see us through.” In the film, Fievel and Tanya Mousekewitz, are brother and sister, and the love they share runs deep. We all have loved ones with whom we have been separated, and we know the pain of our loved ones being far away from us. It’s no wonder this song was so popular when it was released. We can identify with the lyrics, because we’ve all been there.

The Hebrew writer says, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:23-25). Certainly, as we read through Hebrews, the overarching theme is the supremacy of Christ. And indeed he is reigns supreme. But coupled with that theme stands the call encourage and strengthen one another. We are called to inspire our brothers and sisters in their efforts to accomplish the will of God in their lives. And God calls us to love one another.

Love must be the motivating factor in all we do.

While love must be the motivating factor in all we do, other elements exist that contribute to our accomplishing God’s will for his people. We must hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering. God is faithful and he calls his people to faithfulness. But because of his faithfulness, we can stand assured, knowing that we have a hope that will not disappoint (Romans 5:5). There is never a reason for us to be lax regarding the hope we have in Christ. We must encourage each other to live out our calling from God. God has put us in this place together. We cannot neglect the special responsibility that God has given to us of caring for and encouraging one another. We must remember that God understands that we need each other. The very idea of God creating us in his image represents the reality of our need to live in community. God is a relational being, and he has created us to be in relationship with him and each other. Think about these are wonderful lessons we can learn from this Hebrews passage.

We have a wonderful hope that cannot be taken away from us.

We have a unique opportunity to impact the lives of others.

We have a beautiful promise with which we can strengthen one another.

One of the greatest blessings that God has given to us is community. The church is that place where we experience the true relational nature of God. Living in community with one another, and with God, afford us the great blessing of knowing there’s someone out there that cares for us, someone that will stand with us when life is hard. What an encouragement that is.

Somewhere out there beneath the pale moonlight

Someone's thinking of me and loving me tonight

Somewhere out there someone’s saying a prayer

That we'll find one another in that big somewhere out there

And even though I know how very far apart we are

It helps to think we might be wishing on the same bright star

And when the night wind starts to sing a lonesome lullaby

It helps to think we're sleeping underneath the same big sky

Somewhere out there if love can see us through

Then we'll be together somewhere out there

Out where dreams come true

God has given us many great and precious promises. One of those promises is found in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.” One day. Someday we will be reunited with those we love…somewhere out there…