If you love hymns, you have probably heard “Everybody Will Be Happy Over There.” Written in 1921 by E. M. Barlett, the song has been played by gospel, country, and bluegrass musicians. Let’s take a look.
The song
There’s a happy land of promise over in the great beyond,
Where the saved of earth shall soon the glory share;
Where the souls of men shall enter and live on forevermore,
Ev’rybody will be happy over there.
The important thing about a journey is to know our destination. Keeping it in mind helps us with the in-between. What is the in-between? It’s the place where “stuff” happens. Where things change. Where we discover what we’re made of.
It is also the place we decide to keep moving forward or turn back. Journeys are not always easy. Every road trip, including our spiritual journeys, has a testing time that affects how we remember it.
Delays: sickness, life, financial hardship,
Dreams: shattered, forgotten, postponed
Prayers: waiting for years
Traffic Jams: things that keep us immobile
Although some travelers dislike detours, they are often necessary due to construction, mechanical trouble, missed turns, rest, hunger, or a teaching moment. Whether the trip is a dream or a nightmare, look for the nugget of truth.
Verse
Mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, will be singing ’round the throne,
In that land where no one ever knows a care;
And the Christians of all ages will join in the triumph song,
Ev’rybody will be happy over there.
God deals with individuals and with families. If you are praying for loved ones. Know that He is working! One day, we will rejoice together.
Verse
We will hear nobody praying and no mourning in that land,
For no burdens there will be for ys to bear;
All the people will be singing, “Glory, glory to the Lamb,
Ev’rybody will be happy over there.
When we reach our destinations in this world, we unpack our luggage and set it aside. First Timothy 6:7 says, “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” That includes our burdens. We may weep the entire journey, but joy comes in the morning when we step across Jordan!
Can you imagine? No, praying. No mourning. No burdens. God will wipe away our tears, and we will spend eternity praising His name.
Verse
There we’ll meet the One who saved us and who kept us by His grace,
And who bro’t us to that land so bright and fair;
We will praise His name forever as we look upon His face,
Ev’rybody will be happy over there.
We will finally see our precious Travel Guide. The One who holds the map and directs the traffic. The One who sees the traffic jams and the road construction. The One who creates the rest stops and supplies the needed nourishment. The One who holds us. The One who keeps us. The One who redeemed us with His blood.
Jesus is the reason our heavenly destination is so important. He is also the reason why our earthly journey is important. If we don’t follow His map and get the in-between right, we will not reach the destination He’s planned for us. Let us hold His Map in front of us and keep our eyes on Heaven.
Chorus
Ev’rybody will be happy, will be happy over there,
We will shout and sing His praise;
Ev’rybody will be happy over there.
Happy travels, my friend!
Everybody Will Be Happy Over There | E. M. Barlett | Public Domain
Gail Johnson 