What shines for you? I mean, what really shines? I am talking about the kind of shiny that makes you draw in your breath and distracts you. We all have shiny things. For some it may be golf clubs or sporting events; for others it may handbags, travel, or – dare I say it – shoes!
I am certainly not a scholar of John’s revelation, but chapter 18 does mention a lot a shiny objects. It seems that Babylon was a city that dazzled everyone with her treasures. Her cargos of gold, silver, jewels, silks, marble, and spices still manage to get our attention today. We might add fancy cars and technical gadgets to a modern list, but much of it would remain the same. Alarmingly, the mighty angel does not have good things to say about Babylon’s destiny.
All of Babylon’s neon pales in comparison when the next chapter proclaims the wedding feast of the Lamb. Heaven is opened and John sees the white horse whose rider is called Faithful and True. The contrast of these images reminds me that I need to guard the deepest caverns of my heart for the things that are eternally dazzling. I am thankful for the many joys, comforts and beauty that the Father has so graciously provided, but I don’t want to let the roots of those things grow too deep.
I want to set my hope on the day when Jesus will return for His church. The glorious hope of this fills my soul with joy and longing. Soaring moments of worship and quiet whispers of meditation on the Word lead me into those places that God wants me to reserve only for Him. I pray that we will be a church that rejoices in our blessings while we remind each other of the feast that is to come.
Kathleen Tatro
May 23
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment