UNLOCKING THE DOOR TO CLARITY

An open door.

It is one of the most effective visuals one can use. We all go through open doors daily, so it is relatable to everyone. Its imagery can be summed up in one word: OPPORTUNITY.

The prophet Daniel was a MASTER of the open door.

When faced with eating and drinking food and wine from the king's table, he and his friends proved God's menu to be healthier through a ten day fast. Seizing this moment opened the door to more from God:

To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds... The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah... In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom. And Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus. ~Daniel 1:17-21 NIV

Choosing to stand for God unlocked the door to access with the king, yes, but more importantly, it unlocked the door to clarity. Not even his friends would be able to understand visions and dreams of all kind. This was fruit from a seed nurtured in the fertile soil of God's presence, and it would be this fruit that would feed a king.

So how do we open the door to God's clarity?

#1

STEWARD THE MINUTES AND THE MOMENTS

God is a God of Perfect Timing. It wasn't long after Daniel received the ability to interpret dreams and visions that he and the gift would be tested.

At this, Daniel went in to the king and asked for time, so that he might interpret the dream for him. ~Daniel 2:16 NIV

The king ordered the execution of all the wise men (including Daniel) because no one could tell and interpret his dream. It was in the midst of this firestorm that Daniel went to the king and asked for time to interpret. God's timing was testing his courage to use the gift, but also his capacity to be patient and wait for God to set the gift in motion.

Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. ~Daniel 2:17-19a NIV

Because of his history and relationship with the Father, Daniel could trust that clarity would come even in the face of impending death. And because of his consistency and courage, God knew Daniel was spiritually strong enough to carry its weight.

Are you ready to carry the weight of what God reveals? Crossing the threshold is one thing, but trusting what's on the other side of an open door and having the courage to see it through no matter what? Well, that is an entirely different matter, especially when doing so involves waiting. But no matter how long it takes to manifest, God gav