In the spring of 2025, country singer Blake Shelton first introduced a powerfully pertinent song entitled “Let Him in Anyway.”
The song was also presented by Shelton in one of those alternate Super Bowl halftime shows.
The ballad presents the dilemma of sensing your best friend who just took his last breath before totally committing his life to the Lord. Those of us who place their trust in the work of Christ Jesus on the cross can certainly relate to these lyrics.
Consider possibly being the one who is so near to accepting Christ as you take your final breath. Heaven and Hell exist and the die has been cast.
Or, perhaps you are that best friend who was able to get your friend to church a few times, but no commitment was apparently ever made to accept God’s gift of salvation.
Then, suddenly your friend is taken out of this world unexpectedly. It happens all the time — good people with good intentions often miss the boat!
Romans 10:9-10 assures us of our salvation:
“That if you confess with your mouth ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.”
“Ain’t it a scary thing — When. Lord it ain’t my place — Could you let him in anyway — Could you …”
That’s a critical part of the lyrics. The songwriters know that our part is to plant seeds and open the discussion about God’s plan of salvation.
Then, each person must be confronted by the Lord and make their personal decision to accept Christ as Savior and Lord or walk away from what may be their last opportunity for that right relationship with their Heavenly Father.
Let me share a very personal experience. For 25 years I prayed every morning for Dad’s salvation. Even though he was raised in a church in Missouri as a young boy, he drifted away, separating himself from his Creator.
As Dad neared his death in 2012 at the ripe age of 100, my cousin, Mark, who lived close by in Texas felt led to visit Ross one evening. Mark had provided caregiving services for a short period after Mom’s death.
When Mark arrived at Dad’s home, he was startled by a vision of Jesus next to Dad. He asked Dad if he would like a bowl of his favorite strawberry swirl ice cream.
Then he boldly told Dad he needed to ask Jesus into his heart. He asked Dad if he was ready to accept Jesus and Dad nodded yes.
Thirty minutes later, Ross Langley took his final breath, and I’m certain he was in the arms of Jesus!
Talking to my earthly father about my Heavenly Father and enduring some very heated, yet seemingly futile conversations over those earlier years with Dad was certainly worthwhile.
And, I thank you, Blake Shelton!