I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped. Rev. 5:13–14
Lord Jesus, when John had this sensory-overload vision of the life we will enjoy forever, he wasn’t vacationing in Disney theme parks in Orlando. He was under arrest, on the rocky Isle of Patmos, during a perilous time. By your grace, exhilaration invaded his exile.
The world for which we have been redeemed, broke into his broken circumstance—like a tantalizing preview of a new movie we really want to see. Like the aroma of our favorite baking-in-the-oven dish, igniting our hunger. Like a memory-connecting song, wafting in our direction from a neighbor’s backyard party. Our whole body becomes a smile.
Jesus, though my 2020 summer was to have included travel to several countries, my excursions have been limited to walking 7-10 miles a day in my own neighborhood. But, I’ve never seen as many butterflies, blue birds, and “yard-bouquets” of floral beauty.
Instead of whining, I’m moved to worship. COVID, strife and rife, political madness… these things don’t get the last word. You do, and your Kingdom does.
The Day when “every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them” worship you is surely coming. May this hope propel us forward into Kingdom-service with Gospel-kindness and Spirit-patience. So very Amen we pray, in your great and gracious name.