Waiting for the eclipse was nerve wracking. After a morning of clear skies, about 30 minutes before the eclipse started, clouds came in. We waited for glimpses of the sun between clouds. Cheers and oohs and ahhs came each time we got a peek at the eclipse. (My mom was heard praying several times that God divided the oceans for the Israelites, that dividing the clouds would be easy!) Six minutes before totality, the clouds cleared. The prayers of the righteous availeth much. (James 5:16, Shannon’s Memory)

While our perspective without glasses looking at one another the world seemed fairly normal at this point, the reality was that the eclipse was about to happen. It was still daylight, but totality would bring darkness. It was almost, but not yet. We could see hints of it in the shadows, but not as we looked at one another.

As believers we are living in the Kingdom of God, but we are still here on earth, so we can’t quite see it clearly yet. God has won the victory over sin and death. We just can’t quite yet see it yet. Sometimes we can get a glimpse of the Holy Spirit at work, but sometimes the circumstances of our lives cover it up.

Dear friends, now we are God’s children, and it hasn’t yet appeared what we will be. We know that when he appears we will be like him because we’ll see him as he is. And everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself even as he is pure. 1 John 3:2-3 Common English Bible (CEB)

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, as I am fully known. 1 Cor. 13:12 (CEB)

Where can you see the Kingdom of God peeking through in your life? How can you see ways that your spiritual formation is already but not yet? We needed eclipse glasses to see this view of the sun. What do you need to see the glory of God in your life today?