The Set-Up
“The Best is Yet to Come” was written in 1959 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. Although it’s been recorded by many of the great American jazz singers, you are probably familiar with Frank Sinatra’s version.
Cy Coleman is a well-decorated American composer and jazz musician. He started writing “The Best is Yet to Come” as an instrumental to play with his jazz trio in clubs. One night when they were playing, Carolyn Leigh walked in, much to Coleman’s annoyance. Leigh was a songwriter, and often visited clubs to listen to the music – just to see if there was something playing she hadn’t heard yet.
The next day, Leigh cornered Coleman saying, “I can put a lyric to that.”
Today, “The Best is Yet to Come” is still widely known. Most people recognize the melody if they hear it in a commercial or playing over the loudspeakers in a shopping center. Pinterest is full of wedding decor that includes signage reading “The Best is Yet to Come,” although I’m not sure if they are alluding to the song or not. I’m sure that Coleman was not expecting that type of legacy when he sat down and scribbled out a few notes.
For as long as he was alive, “The Best is Yet to Come” was one of Sinatra’s favorites, and it went down in history as the last song of his last public performance. Sinatra would die three years later and etched on his headstone are the words, “The Best is Yet to Come.” In response, Coleman said, “Wouldn’t it be nice if it’s true?”
As Christians, we know that the best is yet to come. No matter what our circumstances are in this life, even if things never get better while we’re on this earth, we can trust that our earthly lives will pale in comparison to the eternal lives waiting for us. We don’t have to question if the future is brighter or if the best really is to come. We know that it is.
Passage to Read
Reflection Questions
Have you ever been in a situation where you wondered if life would ever get better? What was that like?
Paul says, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” What do you think he means by this?
Do you believe that there is life after this one? Why or why not?
Prayer Idea
Thank God for always working for our good and His glory. Even in the hardest situations, He is preparing us for something better. If you are struggling in your current situation, ask God to help you trust in Him to bring you through. If you are content with your life at the moment, praise God for His blessings!