I Can See Clearly Now. . .

Do you remember these famous lyrics from the song written and performed by Johnny Nash--"I can see clearly now the rain is gone, I can see all obstacles in my way". . . .and then the chorus: "It's gonna be a bright, bright sunshiny day."

It's one of those timeless songs that helps us to see past our short-term challenges.  It says to us that when we get prespective we can see through the rain and get our bearings again.  When we have a sense of what is going on and what to do about it, then hope rises in us.  And when there is hope our spirits sing and the sun starts to shine again.

"I can see clearly now. . ."  I wonder if this is something that most Christians can say about their own lives?  I wonder if there is a sense of awareness of where they are at and if they understand a clear path to walk through their "rain" and live in hope and life?  I know this is God's desire for His children, to be sure, but sometimes it's hard to get there.

Yesterday we had some dear friends over to our house and during the stimulating conversation a comment was made to this effect: "If God is wanting us to live in the greatness of his kingdom, if he wants me to step out into the deep waters of faith then I need to be shown what that looks like.  I need someone to show me the way."

What a profound statement.    We really do need to be shown the way for many reasons and most of them originate from the presence of sin.  Fear was mentioned as a major hindrance in us stepping into participation in the greatness of God's kingdom, along with many other smaller yet important challenges.

Can we see through the rain into the 'sunshiny day?'

Yes!  Without question, and the reason I say this is not based on our abilities or strength but on God's and his clear desire for us.

We have been given an invitation from Jesus himself, to step into a manifest kingdom that breaks through the darkness in people's lives.  There are many examples of this in scripture but I will mention only one here and it comes from John 14:12 where Jesus tells his disciples that 'anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing."  That's the beginning of the way right there.  God explains that those in his kingdom will have a desire and the ability to emulate what he did while he was here on earth.  This also means that he has given us an example to follow.  We should be asking ourselves "well then, what exactly were the things that Jesus did while he was here?"  And a follow-up question should arise: "What should we expect to be doing?"

There are two things I want to show here: 1. We should expect that doing the things Jesus did should bring about a fresh and radical expression of God's kingdom here on earth.  This will include the small but significant things but also grand and transformative things.  Why do I say that?  Because Jesus also says that the person who has faith in him will not only do the things that he did, but that "he will do even greater things than these."  Quite a statement.  2. It's fine to be invited into a grand and powerful kingdom but what kind of examples can I look to that will help me to actually live this way?  Again, we should look at Jesus' examples in scripture, and we should look at how his disciples lived in the power of the Holy Spirit who followed Jesus' examples.

One last thing:  if we really want to know, deep knowing in our spirit, what it means to be living and thriving in the Kingdom of God here on earth, then we need to have humble and willing hearts.  Ask Jesus to show you things in your heart that are preventing you from trusting Him fully;  ask Him to fill you with His Spirit to empower you to follow him; to learn the spiritual authority you have been given as a child of God; ask for practical opportunities to exercise what you see Jesus doing.

I think that there is much that is clearly shown to us.  And I believe that God is offering to all of us not only blueprints to follow, but also opportunities to experience His love and power.

I ask that Jesus would forgive me for my fear and unwillingness to believe and follow.  I ask the same for you.  And I believe that our good God will show us the way and we will see things that will awe and amaze us.  Our hearts will be filled with peace and power.

We can see clearly now Lord, take us where you want us to go. . .

BT