“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
Dear Jesus, how encouraging… when John had this heart-enthralling, sensory-overloading vision, he was under arrest and in a mess. But you invaded his exile with exhilaration, brought praise into his prison, and freedom into his confinement. Nothing could keep his hope from growing and his heart from soaring. In one way or another, you are always coming to us Jesus.
Like the aroma of our favorite food, a memory-connecting song, or a well-timed rainbow. Like the friend who knew when to call or the Scripture that popped off the page, it doesn’t take a lot to re-grab our attention and transcend our trouble. It just takes you, Jesus, and any of a number of ways you choose to visit us.
For me this summer, it’s been creation beauty, new music, and seasoned friendships. Instead of extended vexing, fretting, and resenting, I return to peace and worship a bit quicker. Jesus, make quicker even quicker.
Strife and rife, illness and brokenness, our hardest relationships and stubborn unbelief don’t get the last word. You do. You sit on your throne now and will walk in our midst soon. Until then, turn our worries into worship and our self-preoccupation into neighbor love. So Very Amen.