Expressions of God's Glory: Light, Discernment and The Heavenlies

The Light That Shines in the Dark

I’ve been wrestling with God lately—not in a bad way, but in the way Jacob did. All night, questions kept rising: Where do we go from here? What do you want us to do? And every time, the answer was the same: Trust me. Keep your eyes on me.

That’s not just my word. It’s yours too.

We live in a moment where everything feels uncertain—our families, our work, even our faith. But God is still speaking light into darkness. He’s still calling things that are not as though they were. And if we’ll listen, we’ll see that His glory isn’t just something we admire from a distance. It’s something we carry. It’s the light that breaks through our darkest moments, the discernment that cuts through confusion, and the invitation to live from the heavenlies—right here, right now.

---

The First Word: Let There Be Light

In the beginning, God didn’t find light. He spoke it. Out of nothing. Out of darkness. That’s how powerful His word is. And in 2 Corinthians 4:6, Paul tells us the same God who said, “Let there be light” is the one who has shone in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of His glory in the face of Jesus Christ.

Think about that. The same light that split the darkness at creation lives inside you. It’s not just a metaphor. It’s a reality. When you’re in the pit—when life feels like a prison with no way out—that’s where God speaks light. That’s where He does His best work.

I sat with Archbishop Duncan Williams in Ghana, and he reminded me of Joseph. Joseph was in prison two extra years after the cupbearer was supposed to remember him. Two years. But those two years weren’t wasted. They were preparation. God’s timing isn’t late. It’s perfect. And if you’re in a season where it feels like nothing is happening, trust me: God is speaking light into your darkness. The breakthrough is coming.

---

The Treasure in Clay Jars

Here’s the truth: We have this treasure in earthen vessels—in fragile, human bodies. (2 Corinthians 4:7) The kingdom of God isn’t just out there. It’s in you. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives inside you. But here’s the catch: If you don’t expand, you’ll stagnate.

God told me something sharp: “I’ve given you everything you need for the next version of your life.” That’s not just for me. It’s for you. Grace upon grace. Glory to glory. But if we don’t purge the old—old mindsets, old habits, old ways of thinking—we’ll stay stuck. And God won’t force us forward. He’ll wait until we’re ready.

So ask yourself: What’s the next version of my life? Not the one you’re comfortable with. The one God is calling you into.

---

The Glory We Behold

John 1:14 says, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory.” That word dwelt? It means tabernacled—God pitched His tent right in the middle of our mess. And the glory we see in Jesus isn’t like the fading glory Moses saw. It’s full of grace and truth. It’s permanent.

I’ll never forget the first time I walked into a service where God’s presence was so thick, you could feel it. A preacher in Nigeria told me he watches our services online before he preaches just to catch some of what we’re experiencing. Why? Because God’s presence isn’t a right. It’s a privilege.

And here’s the danger: We can get familiar. We can start treating God’s glory like background noise. But if we do, we’ll miss the invitation. Because the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is still here, still working, still tabernacling among us. And His work isn’t done.

---

What This Means for You

This isn’t just theology. It’s life. Here’s how it changes things:

1. Let God speak light into your darkness. Where are you stuck? Where does it feel like nothing is happening? That’s where He’s about to break through. Don’t give up. Trust His timing.
2. Expand your capacity. God has given you everything you need for the next level. But you have to grow into it. That might mean letting go of old mindsets, old relationships, or old ways of doing things.
3. Guard the presence. Don’t take God’s glory for granted. When you walk into church, into prayer, into your quiet time—come expecting. He’s still here. He’s still speaking.

“If you don’t expand, it is to your detriment. God has given you everything you need for the next version of your life.”

---

The Choice Before You

God isn’t just showing us His glory so we can admire it. He’s showing us so we can carry it. So we can live from it. So we can be the light in the darkness for someone else.

This week, I want you to do one thing: Speak to your soul. When you feel overwhelmed, when you feel like giving up, don’t let your emotions lead. Command your soul to bless the Lord. Like the psalmist said: “Why are you cast down, O my soul? Hope in God!” (Psalm 42:5)

And if you’re in a pit right now—if you’re in a prison of your own making or someone else’s—remember Joseph. God’s light will break through. But you have to trust the process.

---

Questions to Sit With

• Where is God speaking light into your darkness right now?
• What old version of yourself do you need to leave behind to step into the next?
• How can you guard the presence of God in your life this week—not just in church, but in your home, your work, your relationships?