I have a weakness for overusing the exclamation mark in written exchanges, especially in those short replies that are a feature of social media ‘correspondence’. Punctuation is important, and to over use is to devalue the impact of something that should be more than a throw-away symbol. The same is true of the careless deployment of expletives and oaths that one overhears littering conversation of people to whom it seems not to matter that their words are hollowed out by too much wear and tear.
Our little granddaughter has recently discovered the use of ‘wow’. When her eyes widen and she beams with delight, ‘wow’ means something significant. The three letters summarise what words cannot do for someone not yet in full command of language.
Today’s reading from Revelation (4:1-11) attempts to describe the indescribable God in his undefinable heaven being worshipped by beings of whom description falls short. The writer. Saint John the Divine, resorts to the use of metaphor and simile. Jasper, ruby and a sea of glass are simultaneously inaccurate and appropriate. They get across the message that the scene is extraordinary, remarkable and precious. Thinking about it, perhaps ‘wow’ does as good a job provided it is accompanied with bright eyed enthusiasm and delight.
The same short selection paints and awe inspiring picture without any special language at all: (v8) ‘Holy, Holy. Holy is the Lord Almighty who was, and is, and is to come.’ Exclamation marks are not needed for the use of words is judicious.
Similarly, Alan Gaunt in the first verse of his hymn (StF 3) uses words to great effect:
‘Eternal God, your love’s tremendous glory
Cascades through life in overflowing grace,
To tell creation’s meaning on the story
Of love evolving love from time and space’.
Simple, powerful and packed with meaning. No expletives and no exaggeration, just a full heart.
A prayer
Holy, holy, holy God, we wish we could describe you and your heaven but when we fail to find expression, take our simple, heartfelt ‘wow’ and with it our pent up feeling of adoration and awe. Thank you for all that you are and ever will be, Amen.