I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.
I think I can make it now, the pain is gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is the rainbow I’ve been prayin’ for
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.
Lyrics and music by Johnny Nash, 1972
Dad lives in southern Arizona where the weather’s fairly constant—warm and sunny. How often have I wished life were warm and sunny all the time? How often have I wished my own constitution was warm and sunny all the time? Instead, I live with a lot of variability. My outer and inner climate is not always bright and warm, let alone sunny.
Like last week when I found myself in a foggy place inwardly for a few days. Like yesterday, when I awoke and could hardly see the barn in our front yard or the horses in the paddock. We get socked in with fog frequently this time of year because we live so close to Lake Michigan. Sometimes when driving home, I can’t see ten feet in front of the car and my hands hold the steering wheel white-knuckled, hoping I don’t hit a deer running across the road. They’re thick down here, the white-tailed deer, just like the fog.
But yesterday morning, I saw the misty landscape with new eyes. Sharp edges were softened, blurred, mysterious. So I took my camera and went hunting for glory, feeling like a kid again when I ran around the neighborhood, searching for the next bit of natural wonder I might find to explore.
I was not disappointed.
At every turn, there were trees and fields and roads veiled in tulle like a bride, waiting for the hand of God to lift, waiting for the Son of God to kiss with no obstacles in the way. I saw myself in the solitary tree, all blurry, reaching slender to heaven. I saw myself not far from the stand of three, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost who together planted them right there, next to me.
Romance held me tenderly as I pictured Jane Austen’s Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice walking across the misty moor in search of his beloved. I swooned once again, just the picture of him in my mind, this groom coming for his bride.
And this is my Jesus.
This is our Jesus, searching us out in the fog of our lives, our souls. Coming for us, He lifts our veil of separation and causes us to shine with His the glory of His love. 2 Corinthians 3:16-18
I felt Him take me by the hand to show me more wonder. We walked down a tree-lined lane. Off to our right He showed me a burst of yellow, a living bouquet of marsh marigolds growing in low lands—wet lands—bursting bright in the ditches of life.
When we walk with Jesus, no matter where we are, there is beauty because there He is.
No matter the conditions surrounding us—wet or dry—veiled or sunlit—there is always beauty. Take time, oh my soul. Take time to seek. Commune with the Lover of your soul. Let Love arrange your day. And all will be well.
It is well with my soul. Even in the foggy. Even in places where I can hardly see my next step.
Because faith doesn’t need sight.
Faith lets the Holy One lead.
Faith lets the Creator decide what’s good for the created.
Misty eyed, I thanked my God who veils me—who veils my world in mystery—who gives me faith in what I cannot see. And even when I fly head-on into clearly hard and find myself a bit bruised, he comforts me with Himself. He restores my soul.
O such a Lover we have in Jesus!
O to walk through life, thankful in the mists!
O for the day His hand will lift the last obstacle!
And we will see our beloved, face-to-face, no veil between!
I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.
I think I can make it now, the pain is gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is the rainbow I’ve been prayin’ for
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.
It’s gonna be a bright, bright SON-shiny day, our wedding day, when we see our Groom with no hindrance.
How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful! Your eyes behind your veil are doves.
Song of Solomon 4:1