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?
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 gave you this door to walk through, this path to walk, this burden to carry. Trust what God gave you even when you can't trace it.
SEEK THAT WHICH WILL EXPOSE HEAVEN MORE THAN ELEVATE YOU
Then Daniel praised the God of heaven and said: “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.” ~Daniel 2:19b-23 NIV
When Daniel walked through this open door, he allowed himself to be used by God and for God. His interpretation of this dream would be the first of several God-encounters for the evil King Nebuchadnezzar. Through his dreams and Daniel's interpretation of them, the king was humbled by the God who sits high and looks low.
Before you pray for the open door of clarity, ask God to reveal and deal with any personal agendas that could cloud our view of the spirit of God using you.
ONCE CLARITY COMES, CELEBRATE ITS CREATOR
The king asked Daniel (also called Belteshazzar), “Are you able to tell me what I saw in my dream and interpret it?” Daniel replied, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. ~Daniel 26-28a
God's got you, so don't be in a rush to take all the credit. The Holy Spirit will not waste revelation on the self-serving. Always be willing and ready to acknowledge the giver of the gift, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Daniel went on to become trusted by kings to rule as well as interpret. His consistency with God continued to open the doors of clarity in his life to the point where he became God's trusted vessel in the Old Testament for revealing the end times. All because he, from the beginning, was willing be a vessel. The more God can trust you, the more He will trust with you.
One more thing...
Only expect clarity when it will build kingdom.
One of the cycle of distraction that we so easily fall into is the need to know why. Like an inquisitive child, we sometimes allow the cycle of why and why not to ruminate within us to the point on becoming emotional or frustrated because our answer has not come. God is not our Google screen. The bible tells us his thoughts are not our thoughts and his ways are not our ways. Like any good father, He knows when to disclose information. He knows if the information should be disclosed at all, and will choose to do so at his pleasure. So, if your definition of clarity is just know something because you feel you should know it, don't be surprised when there is not response. Every inquiry Daniel made of God and every answer God gave was to further kingdom. Be mindful of what you are asking and why.
Visions and dreams do not automatically come with clarity. Clarity comes from being a vessel where the deep things of God's Holy Spirit can flow. Will you press Heaven for answers, then be faithful and patient until they come? Will you make sure His name is higher on the marquee than yours?
Will you live a life where kingdom favor can flow through you?
These were the questions I had to answer. If you want to live that glory-filled life, get ready for the more that comes with your open door. The waves of clarity will come once humility breaks the dam of your expectations. You just hold on to God's unchanging hand. It's going to be a wild ride.
Next week: 3 Things to Carry Through an Open Door
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Phillipa also the Founder of ilooklikeLOVE, Inc., a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization providing diaper assistance to families in need and opportunities for mothers to empower themselves.
Look for her upcoming book,
GOD n You: Finding Your Place in Forever.
