Growing up, I was always told: “Don’t point at people, it’s rude.” This conversation usually lead to me asking “why?” or “why not?” which usually led to me not ever really getting an honest answer other than “Because I said so.” or “Are you questioning me?!” which then lead to me in tears because I was now in trouble.

But pointing… it seems to continue to be something we don’t advocate since it’s well, rude. But Uncle Sam did it. (Editor Note: if you click on the link or roll your courser you’ll find a nice picture of Uncle Sam or other selected images.) Smurfs do it. Dogs sometimes are bought and used because they point. Pointing is used in sign-age so we can know where certain things are, and it is very helpful. Politicians point: Rudy, Huckabee, Romney, Obama, Clinton, & Edwards. Goodness, even the Dalai-lama points.

I’ve also heard that if you point at someone there’s three fingers pointing back. At any rate, pointing as defined by the dictionary is:

  1. To direct attention or indicate position with or as if with the finger.
  2. To turn the mind or thought in a particular direction or to a particular conclusion: All indications point to an early spring.
  3. To be turned or faced in a given direction; aim
  4. To direct or aim: point a weapon.

I like these definitions. In fact, pointing is what I want to do this year. To point out my short-comings; my depravity; my smallness; my pride; my arrogance; my limitedness. To point out His salvation; His perfection; His sovereignty; His grandness; His glory; His limitlessness.

I was reading in Revelation 19 and it is this account where John (the Beloved) is standing with an Angel and is told to write this down:

And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”

Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God“

pointing. pointing. pointing.

like John the Baptist.

like Paul.

like the angel.

That’s how I want to live this year: pointing (drawing attention) to Jesus.