“Our Lord and God, you are worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because you have created all things, and by your will they exist and were created.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭4‬:‭11‬ ‭CSB‬‬

I visited the Sagrada Família church in Barcelona Spain several years ago. I remember it vividly. The outside details are jaw-dropping, but when I stepped inside, I was overwhelmed by the beauty. It brought me to literal tears which has never happened to me before, not because of architecture or art of any kind. The light coming through the unusual stained glass – sunrise colors of blues and greens on one side, sunset colors of orange and reds on the other – was breathtaking. I remember not being able to do or say anything for several minutes other than to stand in awe and worship God in that beautiful space.

This verse reminds me of that moment. John, the author, is experiencing a revelation from God. He’s been taken to God’s throne room in spirit and sees all manner of strange, impossible-to-describe beings all worshiping God, day and night without stopping. Today’s verse is what they say to God as part of their worship.

There are so many amazing and beautiful things on this planet and beyond. Way more beautiful even than Gaudi’s design of the Sagrada Família. Every evening in fact there is probably a sunset somewhere on earth that blows the church’s stained glass majesty away. The glint of a hummingbird’s throat, the delicate sweep of a flower petal, the sound of the surf on a tropical beach, the crisp curve of the moon on a clear night, a baby’s laugh… there is no end to the beauty and joy to be found in God’s creation.

And yet I think the beauty of the Creator far surpasses His creation. So much so that the beings that exist in the full glory of His presence cannot help but fall down in awe and worship Him. It’s impossible not to be overwhelmed by wonder and joy and love in the presence of God.

Dear God,

You are worthy to receive glory, honor, and all my worship because you created everything. You are beautiful so what you willed into existence for your children was beautiful too, until we mucked it up. I’m sorry for that and for any part I play in continuing to muck up your creation. Teach me how to care for your world instead. Thank you for the phenomenal wonders that exist even so and for the daily reminders of your unsurpassed creativity and majesty.