In scripture, a Prophet finds himself in captivity in ancient Babylon. In exile, the prophet sees angels and hears a voice of judgement that will immediately chastise and eventually restore his nation.
By age 28, Beethoven began to lose his hearing, and by the time he was 44, he was completely deaf. But in the last 15 years of his life, Beethoven composed some of his most cherished and awe-inspiring music.
Born out of wedlock in 18th century Britain, a scientist by the name of James Smithson was denied the right to use his father’s last name during his younger years. Upon his death, Smithson left his hefty estate to his nephew, with the stipulation that if his nephew died without an heir, Smithson’s estate would go to a country he’d never visited to establish an institution of learning. Thus, we have the Great Smithsonian Institute.
Born Michael King on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta GA Martin Luther King the great civil rights leader end in jail. From a cold dark jail cell in Birmingham, Alabama, Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote one of the greatest apologetics for non-violent resistance to injustice that the world has ever known. Many say this was the greatest work ever published on this subject. The document has inspired peaceful protests around the globe ever since.
Today, we are reminded, that some of our greatest insights have come in the midst of our hardest restrictions and inhibitions. Inhibitions of health, identity and human rights cannot diminish the power embedded in dreams, visions, and imagination. In fact, I believe inhibitions are the incubators of our greatest insights and innovations.
“While I was among the exiles by the Kebar River, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God.” – Ezekiel 1:1
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, help me to never allow my confines to restrict the content of my visions. In Christ’s name Amen.
In reflection
What context of confinement will God use as a conduit to give expression to your next big idea?
