Revelation 1:12–16

"I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands I saw one like the Son of Man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash across his chest. His head and his hair were white as white wool, white as snow; his eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined as in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and from his mouth came a sharp, two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining with full force."

Reflection by Anthony B. Robinson

You probably never do this, but I sometimes sort of skip over the verses from Scripture and go right to the rest of the devotion, especially when — like today — it's a long reading. Just in case that might have happened to you today, I have a favor to ask. Take a minute, go back and slowly read, maybe out loud, these verses from Revelation.

Amazing, eh? Eyes like a flame, feet like shining bronze, a voice like the sound of many waters, and holding a handful of stars.

From such a starting point—a  Jesus like this—you have to wonder, don't you, how  we end up with a church that is, well, so often tepid, bland and something less, shall we say, than dazzling. 

And sometimes I have to wonder, with a Lord and Savior like this, how my own way of being a Christian seems to come out so safe, colorless and conventional.

Might we hear in this dazzling, shining vision of Christ an invitation to shine just a bit ourselves? Imagine today that you hold stars in your hand. Imagine just now that your own eyes burn like a flame. Consider the possibility of allowing God to set you on fire, even if just a little.

So often we do hide our light under a bushel. We stare down at our feet and mumble our words. We apologize when there's nothing to apologize for. We pull our punches. Don't do it. Dare to dazzle. God has put her light within you and upon you. Don't just grab your purse or briefcase - pick up a handful of stars. Dare to shine, for you - human one—are made in the image of God and are quite wondrous. Yes, you are.

Prayer

Thank you, Holy One, for words and images that fire the mind and stir the heart. Let them live in us so that we may live in you. Amen.

About the Author Anthony B. Robinson, a United Church of Christ minister, is a speaker, teacher and writer. His newest book is Called to Lead: Paul's Letters to Timothy for a New Day, and he is also the author of the just-published Book of Exodus: A God is still speaking Bible Study. Read his weekly reflections on the current lectionary texts at www.anthonybrobinson.com by clicking on Weekly Reading.