Pointing

In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stopped saying: "Holy, holy holy is the Lord God Almighty who was and is and is to come." Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty four elders fell down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. (Revelation 4:6-10)

I was reading through the book of Revelation for my morning devotionals the other day, and I was really struck by this picture of worship from John's vision. It's so stripped down. It's so simple. It's just the living creatures, and the elders, pointing to God and proclaiming his glory.

I mean, take a look at what isn't included in this depiction of worship. There is no reference to a guitar. For that matter there's no reference to choirs or organs either. There's no appointed hour of worship, these guys are on the clock "day and night," and it would seem as though they never stop. There's no theological sermon, with 5 or 6 alliterated points. It is just simply worship.

That's not to say that those things that are missing aren't useful tools in worship. They are. But not a single one of those tools can be worship in and of itself. They, like the creatures and the elders, must point people towards the glory of God. And, in the way we have our worship services set up to happen once a week, I would argue that our services need to provide people the opportunity to point to God in everything else they do. From laundry to meetings, school to work, fun to dark days, everything we do must point to the glory of the Living One.

How have you pointed to the Living One today?