THE ROLL CALL

Have you heard the hymn, “WHEN THE ROLL IS CALLED UP YONDER” written by James M. Black in 1893? It is one of my favourite hymns. I love this hymn because, the author wants to draw our attention to the *”Trumpet Call of God”* which the world will one day receive. If that is delayed, we all will receive our “Call to Come Home.” Also, the author wants us to know that, life on earth is not permanent, but rather fleeting. While the most certain of all things in life is, the death. Thirdly, the author wants us to labour for the LORD, while we are still here on the earth. Lastly, the hymn is full of hope for a Christian, because of the LORD Jesus Christ, and through Him, everything becomes a wonderful thing.

When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound and time shall be no more,
And the morning breaks, eternal, bright and fair;
When the saved of earth shall gather over on the other shore,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.

When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.

On that bright and cloudless morning when the dead in Christ shall rise,
And the glory of his resurrection share;
When his chosen ones shall gather to their home beyond the skies,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.

Let us labor for the Master from the dawn till setting sun;
Let us talk of all his wondrous love and care.
Then when all of life is over and our work on earth is done,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.

One other reason I love this hymn is because, it is my mother’s favourite. I have heard her, many times, hum this hymn at home, with such infectious enthusiasm, both in English and in Telugu. It is nine years till date, since she received her call, yet she still remains fresh in the memory. What a glorious day, that day would be, when the trumpet shall be sounded!!! Not that anyone of us deserve to be there. Certainly not that we have earned our place to be there. No, not all. 

“When the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there” because of the goodness, mercy and the grace of God, shown generously towards an undeserving and worthless sinner, who was hopelessly lost, untill found by the Good Shepherd. Nothing of our doing, everything of the LORD’s. SOLI DEO GLORIA!!! Are we ready for the ROLL CALL???