The Center of....

Nicole is standing on the star in the crypt of the capital building which is at the very center of Washington, DC. (Originally, George Washington was intended to be buried here). The very center of the city which has been the center of power for the world for all of our lifetimes.

This moment reminded me of a verse in Revelation that E. Stanley Jones has said is the most important verse of literature anywhere. It is Revelation 7:17:

For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd;

he will lead them to springs of living water.
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

Whatever is at the center of "your" universe will determine how you act....the way you think and make decisions...the way you feel about life. And here in this verse is revealed Who it is that sits at the center of the throne which is at the center of the universe. It is the Lamb. The Lamb "slain from the foundation of the world."

This is so unthinkable....so unknowable....so counterintuitive....that if it was not revealed in Scripture, we could never have guessed it. The center of the universe is not power, not money, not nepotism, not performance, not good works....but self-sacrificial love!!!

Thanks, Nicole, for an awesome reminder of Who we serve!

(We had a great team time yesterday...our best day yet of sharing. God is definitely working. Thanks for your prayers. Today's touring focus will include the major memorials and an special extended visit with Rep. Pete Sessions.)

*there are new pictures up at http://www.flickr.com/photos/jhfirsties/