Earlier today, I went to Fellowship Loop, a monthly lunchtime service in Macy's downtown hosted by Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church. You know the minister who sings God is Awesome, that's his church. During worship, and that song in particular, I found myself focusing (imagining/meditating) on the 24 elders and the 4 living creatures at the Throne in Heaven.
Revelation 4: 4, 6-84 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads.
6B And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. 8 The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within.Little did I know, my ride home at the end of the night, would involve other aspects of The Throne. As I was leaving my car to go inside my church, there was not a cloud in sight. So I disregarded the thunderstorm warning and left my umbrella in the car. After all, they've been wrong before, it was already 7pm and the watch was until 8pm. However, by the time we left church, the scenery had drastically changed. It felt like a scene out of a Dixie Chicks song. And I was driving like I just received my permit and my driving instructor was in the passenger seat making me feel very uncomfortable.
I was so focused on the road. I was driving in lightning and thunder: I could feel it. Lightning and thunder were seconds apart in a call and response, throughout my trip. High winds, severe thunderstorm and even tornado watches! I thought at any moment a car could slam into the divider or spin, God forbid. Moreover, some of the lights on the expressway were out, so visibility was extremely hindered. My gentle assurance prayer "Lord cover this car with the blood of Jesus" soon elevated into a plead.
This was one of the longest dangerous rides I can remember in my history of driving, (11 years or so), even driving 4 hours on a normally 2 hour trip in a snowstorm up the interstate did not compare to this. For one, I already don't like driving in severe rain from a previous incident. That incident was nothing compared to tonight. Two, I was riding solo this time in contrast to the snowstorm ride.
Cars were pulled over to the side on the expressway, other cars were driving well under the speed minimum. At some parts, the expressway was empty. I just kept on going, pleading the blood of Jesus for protection, it was that serious. It might not have been the smartest thing to do, but I was determined to get home safe and sound as soon as I could, plus it's been a long day and I was calculating my hours of sleep tonight. Part of me with a hindsight aforethought, thought each time I passed a bridge, I should probably pull over, but I just kept going.
Thank God I made it home safely!
Throughout all that, I kept thinking The Throne is much more intense than this, unquestionably. See for yourself: The Throne - Revelation 4
Yet, He asks us to come boldly before Him, boldly before His Throne. Hebrews 4:16
Now that I made it home safely, the intensity of The Throne is magnified in me. Coming boldly before His Throne has new meaning for me. We haven't seen a thing yet!
My God is truly awesome.