Grandeur in DC

A few weeks ago, almost three weeks now, I went to DC. I went with my two roommates, Emma and Mary Sue, and one other friend, Rebecca Hobbs. Over fall break, we got up early in the morning and took the bus straight from our college right into the heart of DC. We had so much fun. We went to the top of the Washington monument, visited the WWII memorial and Lincoln memorial, ate lunch in the Reagan building, walked down the National Mall, saw the library of Congress and went to the National Museum of Art. It was a busy, tiring day, but thoroughly enjoyable. It is a great privilege to live so close to so many opportunities.

My favorite part of the day was seeing the Capitol building. I have been in the Capitol twice, but always through entering another building and taking the tunnel. I never had actually seen the exterior in person. Now of course, all of DC is grandiose. The Lincoln and Jefferson memorials resemble roman temples; the White House is wonderfully manicured; and the Washington monument sits in the middle as a very visual reminder of the grandeur. But the Capitol building was especially awe-inspiring. It was huge. It was intricate. It was beautiful. It inspired respect and awe. I'm pretty sure the pictures can't do it justice.

While I was in awe of the building, I thought about what the point of all this grandeur. Where was the glory pointing? Obviously, the point was to glorify this nation, and our system of government. I enjoy this nation. I am loyal to it, and I am extremely grateful for the privilege of living here. I have no problem with celebrating this country. But I couldn't help thinking that we have a better country awaiting. And while the beautiful grandeur of the Capitol points to the glory of this country, there will be glorious, wonderful grandeur in our true country, and that grandeur will point to the glory of God. I was reminded of Isaiah chapter 6:

"In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another:

'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;

the whole earth is full of his glory.'

At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke."

Just imagine that! Don't we serve a God that is amazing, glorious, awesome and wonderful beyond our comprehension? How much glory is He due? All that we have to offer! "Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!" (Revelations 7:12)

~Carissa