How are you being measured?

Chuck did not want to be measured in this way!

Scripture:

 The angel who talked to me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city and its gates and walls.

(Rev. 21:15 NRSV)

Observation:

Earlier in Chapter 11 it was John who was doing the measuring, ensuring protection for the people. Now, things have changed and it is the angel who has come to measure the city of God. The angel has a golden rod with which to measure the city, ensuring the city’s integrity and purity. This angel will measure the gates and the height of the walls which reveals the enormous size, but also the perfect symmetry. This city is to become the dwelling place of the faithful for all of eternity. 

Application:

Day in and day out we are influenced by those around us. In many ways, we allow ourselves to be measured by those from whom we want to receive acceptance or affirmation. 

I’m a member of Weight Watchers and I like using their app, but I also want to make the WW “genies” — or whatever they are, happy. That’s a strange thing because, in reality, it’s just the response of an app, which encourages you, or tells you that have eaten a little too much! But I’m being measured by WW and I’ll have to add into my day that I just ate those two Delta Biscoff cookies with my cup of tea on this flight! I’m being measured by WW. 

How are we being measured in the spiritual realm? That was the distinction between John’s measuring earlier in Revelation, and now, the measurement being completed by an Angel with a rod of gold. This measurement was to reveal perfection. 

Perfection in the spiritual sense is to fulfill the purpose for which you have been created. However, it’s on the Creator who knows the intimate details of your design and purpose. Just like an artist holds within themselves the criteria for their own painting, so our Heavenly Father knows the potential for beauty within each and every one of us. 

This understanding must then beg the question, “How are you being measured?” It’s only when we turn from the measures of this world and focus upon the golden rod of God that we will discover how we are doing in life. God’s measure is far different from that of the world and it’s only by the Lord’s measure that we will find the place of spiritual symmetry: a place where we can learn to trust and rest for all of time. 

Just as the closing chapters of Revelation bring us to that which is most important, so we turn the page on the past and allow God to become our measuring rod. There is no reason to compare ourselves with others, or by the world’s standards. That will only lead to frustration because the world is not our Creator, and if we depend upon the world’s imperfect measuring rod, we will be found wanting. God’s good measure will bring us a level of peace that cannot be found in the measurements of this word. 

Prayer:

Lord, it is with gratitude that I ask to be measured by your rod. Please, help me to be straightened and led in your direction because of your leading in all things. Amen.