I am an old school teacher, so I always kept a roster of my students in an attendance book and daily checked to see who was present. At the beginning of each school year, I had to call out each name and match it to the face, but by the end of the year, the process was much faster since I recognized who was there and who was missing just by looking around. Being a high school teacher, I often taught over 150 students a day, so the process was somewhat time consuming, class after class. But it was necessary since I was responsible for the location and safety of each child who was supposed to be in my class during each period.

That memory brings me to the scriptures today. One day, we will stand before the throne of God and a Book of Life will be opened. The roll will be called and we really want our names to be there; God is accounting for our presence, for our being where we are supposed to be.

It is cause for great rejoicing to have our names written in heaven because that means eternal life with the Holy One who loves us so much that He provided a way for us to be accepted there.

When Jesus acknowledges our names before the Father, we will be welcomed into our eternal home. That roll call is the one I want to be present and accounted for! Jesus paid the price, and we get the benefits.

There’s an old hymn that my grandmother used to sing that I hope you enjoy as well.

When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder-Alan Jackson

1 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.

—

Refrain:
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.

—

2 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. [Refrain]

—

3 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. [Refrain]