Tears in Heaven

I recently saw the video once again of Eric Clapton's unplugged version of "Tears in Heaven." It's a very sad song, about the death of Clapton's 4-year-old son, Conor, who fell from the 53rd floor of a condominium in New York City in 1991.

I hadn't seen the video in a while, and I listened very closely to the lyrics this time. Clapton sings about meeting his young son in heaven, and what the encounter might be like. Would Conor know his name? Would it be the same? Clapton confesses in the song that he doesn't belong in heaven, and that he can't stay there.

I have no idea about Eric Clapton's spirituality today. I have no idea if he is a Christ-follower today or not. But he does hit the bullseye in the final two lines of the song:

"Beyond the door, there's peace I'm sure,
And I know there'll be no more tears in heaven."

Clapton's heartfelt lyrics are backed up by the words of Revelation 21:4, where it says:

"God will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

Conor Clapton is in the arms of God today. Pray for Eric Clapton and for Conor's mother, that they will find peace and comfort even in these many years after Conor's death, and that they will come to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. Pray for all the other parents that you know, who have lost children, too, that they also will experience a peace and comfort that only can come from God after such a tragedy.

And if you are suffering from such a tragic loss in your life, then please hold firm to God's promise in Revelation 21:4, that in heaven He will wipe every tear from your eyes, and there'll be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.

"Beyond the door, there's peace I'm sure,
And I know there'll be no more tears in heaven."