Welcome to Tuesday and Tuesday's Musical Notes! Today we feature the final portion of "Blinded - a Tuesday's Musical Notes Trilogy". Today...episode 6- "Gone are the Dark Clouds". Through this trilogy, we hope you have enjoyed remembering some great music and getting to know a personality from history a little better in the process as well. Let's get started because, as we look straight ahead, there's nothing but blue skies...
I have always loved this song!!! I'm not sure if it is the beat or the incredible (and in my opinion) spiritual lyrics that cause my ears to perk up every time I hear its opening chord patterns. It is one of those songs that seems to only be played during the summer, which is a shame as it's inspirational message needs to be heard regardless of the season.
It stayed at #1 on the charts for 4 weeks and was certified "gold" the year of its release. It has such an air of infectious positivity about it that you can't help but get inspired by its lyrics and its cool reggae sounds. The musical groove was so good that it has inspired over 50 artists to include it in their repertoire. The most notable is the cover by reggae singer Jimmy Cliff who went as high as #18 with the song for the 1993 movie that chronicled the adventures of the first Jamaican Olympic bobsled team.
Singer/songwriter Johnny Nash had quite the career. Not only did he have a successful solo career, but he was an actor and went on to create 2 record labels. His first JODA, would sign the group The Cowsills to their first record contract. The second would be JAD. He created this label while in Jamaica with his girlfriend who had family in the area. JAD would be the first to sign Bob Marley and the Wailers. Unfortunately, none of the JAD label Wailers' singles achieved success and the group that would bring Reggae to popularity would later sign with another label.
"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) sunshiny day..."
Imagine what would happen if you suddenly witnessed the presence of Jesus, Son of God. For a Pharisee named Saul, blindness ensued. For three days he had to be led by companions anywhere he would go and he did not eat or drink anything. For three days Saul heard voices, was shown visions of his future and had an extreme focus on the task that he was called to do. For three days, Saul was being prepared. Then the dark clouds disappeared. You can read more about Saul's early adventures in episodes 4 & 5 of "Blinded - a Tuesday's Musical Notes Trilogy:
The Bible says that once Saul was baptized and his sight was restored he ate and was strengthened. I would imagine he could now see better than he had ever before. His renewed vision gave him a laser beam focus for telling other's about restoration to God through Jesus. Saul's energy and fervor for the Gospel message was so powerful in Damascus that his life was being threatened. To escape, he was lowered in a basket through a window of the city wall by his new believing family and friends. Saul then went to Jerusalem and similar events occurred. Saul would preach the Gospel of Jesus, some would believe and follow, others were angered and out for Saul's blood. His life was in such peril that he was led to leave Jerusalem and begin what would become one of the most evangelistic crusades in history.
Acts of the Apostles chapter 9, verses 1-31 New International Version of the Bible/The Message paraphrase of the Bible/English Standard Version of the Bible parallel - Saul's Conversion
Acts of the Apostles chapter 13 NIV/The Message/ESV - Barnabus and Saul commissioned for missionary journey, "Saul (filled with Holy Spirit) aka Paul v. 9)
The remainder of the book of Acts details some of the remaining events of Paul's life and journeys. He would be stoned, shipwrecked, bitten by snakes, and continually persecuted for his beliefs and preaching about those beliefs, yet his passion for the Gospel in which he encountered on the road to Damascus never wavered or waned. The visions he saw while spending three days in blindness continued to prepare him for the struggles he would have as he preached about Jesus. His attitude regarding it all could very possibly be summed up this way, "Oh, yes I can make it now the pain is gone. All of the bad feelings have disappeared. Here is that rainbow I've been praying for. It's gonna be a bright sunshiny day..."
In fact, in a letter, he wrote as an encouragement to the Philippian church, Paul says about their kindness in providing resources and relieving some of his burdens..."I’m glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess—happy that you’re again showing such strong concern for me. Not that you ever quit praying and thinking about me. You just had no chance to show it. Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. I don’t mean that your help didn’t mean a lot to me—it did. It was a beautiful thing that you came alongside me in my troubles." (Phillippians 4:10-13 The Message) Paul's letter to the Phillippians chapter 4, verses 10-13
Notice that Paul says that he can be happy with much or little, he can be happy whether full or hungry, he can be happy with full or empty hands, not by his own strength, but by the strength of the One who provides all happiness in the first place, the One who spoke the original rainbow into existence.
Paul is eventually beheaded in Rome at the hands of Nero as a part of Nero's persecution of Believers. It is believed that Paul was on his 5th missionary journey when he was detained. The latter part of his life has been depicted in a recent movie. For context, I would recommend this movie which stars Jim Caviezel and is available now on DVD.
So yes, we can make it now the rain is gone, but you know what? Paul says we can make it even in the rain because we serve the One who sees all the obstacles in our way. The clouds that blinded us have broken to reveal the strength by which we are able to be happy, content, and even the strongest emotion of being joyful, no matter what pain we may endure.
So dear friend, is it raining where you are? Do dark clouds shroud your ability to see. Are you in pain and feel bad? Are their obstacles that seem to be unmovable? Are you begging for a way to escape it all? Perhaps you like Saul need to be blinded by the light.
Perhaps you need to have friends guide you in the right direction and pray for and with you. Perhaps you need to have your blinders fall away through Holy Spirit's power. Do you desire to proclaim, "Praise the Lord, I saw the Light"?
Perhaps you need to surrender to the drawing of Holy Spirit as He is wanting to make the rainbow you've been praying for in your life. Do you desire a bright, bright sunshiny day?
All of this is possible through the power of the Gospel of Jesus. He is the Rainbow you've been praying for. He is the One who creates the sky. He is the One who gives us the strength to be content and joyful in all circumstances. He is the One who wants to restore His relationship with you. All you need to do is listen closely, surrender your life to Him, and look straight ahead 'cause there's nothing but blue skies...
'Til Tuesday,
Serving HIM by serving You,
randy
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