This week I started reading a new book called Crazy Love by Francis Chan. He has videos to go with the book that really make you think about the words from his book. As much as I love books, I'm definitely one that can relate to visuals. And while I only just finished chapter one, it really started to open my eyes to WHO GOD IS.
I have never been one to jump over to Revelation for my devotional. Not sure if I was confused or afraid of the final book in the bible, but it wasn't something I often flipped to by my own accord. In one of Chan's videos he references Revelation's author John describing what he saw when he got a glimpse of God.
"And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne. Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal." - Revelation 4:3-6
I can only imagine John trying to put such majesty into human words. Lighting and Thunder? WOW. It must have been amazing if those are the closest descriptions in human words. Doesn't it put into perspective the God we pray to every day? If I saw God in all his glory like John did, what would be my first words to Him? The two phrases that came into my head that I would want to say to Him are THANK YOU and I LOVE YOU.
Now that I think about really why I haven't read much of Revelation, it might have been that I was only thinking of God in an earthly way, but he is so much bigger. In the same chapter of Revelation, it talks about four creatures that resembled a lion, an ox, a man, and an eagle. But these creatures had eyes all over their bodies. I think that freaked me out the first time I started reading the book. Now I can see how amazing and BIG God is. He isn't confined to what my mind can dream up, he is so much BIGGER.
My challenge today (and I'm going to be challenging myself in the exact same way) is to see God in a bigger way than maybe you've seen him in the past. It might make you fall on your face in worship, it might make you stand in awe. For me, its definitely opened my eyes to the possibilities of God. I don't ever want to put him in a box.
Have a great Saturday! Hoping I'll be able to share more tomorrow.
