Before The Throne

I was listening to Francis Chan speak via YouTube the other day and I was taken by something he said. He talked about how when he prays, before he starts speaking, he thinks about the image of the throne of God from Revelation 4 and 5. He talked about how when he takes a few moments to visualize this it changes the tenor of his prayers. Take a moment to read them...

At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. 3 And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne.4 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.5 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. 6 Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.

In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. 7 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. 8 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 stop saying:

“‘Holy, holy, holy

is the Lord God Almighty,’

who was, and is, and is to come.”

...

Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they were saying:

“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,

to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength

and honor and glory and praise!”

Revelation 4:2-8 and Revelation 5:11-12

I was raised in a generation that has tried to make God more "seeker friendly." I grew up hearing that God was just like my best friend, that I could talk to Him just like I do anyone else. That He could handle my screaming and arguing and mess. And the life that He and I have lived hand in hand over the last 27 years has proven that He can handle my hot mess ugly cries. He is not swayed by them. He is not wringing His hands, walking the floor of heaven frustrated, angry or looking at me in disbelief. He is solidly on His throne, surrounded by (at least) 100 Million angels.

Unfortunately, in our attempts to make Him more accessible and less "angry and judgmental" to a seeking world, we have stripped Him of the awe we should have in His presence. I mean, if I stop and visualize those images from Revelation before I speak to the Lord, my prayers change dramatically. I no longer stand in His presence asking for the petty things. My prayers automatically become more respectful, more awe-inspired, more peaceful and I no longer see myself standing in the presence of God. I am on my knees, without option, laid out before the God who spoke breath into my lungs and who by His word holds all things together. I mean, the fact that we and all our filthy rags can even enter into His presence is humbling. Add to it that we can enter into His presence, speak to Him, He hears us and answers us? I mean, are there words for that? He. Answers. Me. A being that can utter a whisper and create life has a desire to speak to me. To hear me. To answer me. What do I choose to bring Him? Do I bring Him the eternal matters? Or the stupidity of my days? Do I bring Him the heart aches and soul groans for those who don't know Him and the pain of living in this fallen world? 

Lord, may I bring to Your throne the things that matter. The bigger picture. And when I bring them, may I leave them with You. Trusting that You alone can orchestrate this life into something beautiful and honoring to You. And thank You, Lord, that just like a parent, You delight in Your children. You delight in our honor and respect of Your rightful place. And You delight in the simple things that we bring You as well. May we find the balance of the Big and Small as we grow in relationship with You.