The Clariton

John 16:33 – I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. (ESV)

Recently, I listened to a BBC radio programme called The Life Scientific with guest interviewee Professor Sir Michael Berry, a physicist, born in 1941, who reviewed his life's work with particle physics. In the context of his research, he coined the term, the clariton.

Unlike the electron and the proton, the clariton is not an actual particle but "the elementary particle of sudden understanding", a Eureka moment in the context of physics, as something becomes absolutely clear. He writes, "Any scientist will recognise the 'Aha!' moment when this particle is created."

A new member at church had just such a revelatory experience — of Jesus. As a wife and mother of two, she felt led to watch the crucifixion scene in the film Jesus Christ Superstar. In this depiction, Jesus became a reality to her. Since then, she has felt compelled to accept Jesus into her life and to follow Him. She has just been baptised.

To develop the idea further, there have been times when I have experienced what I may consider to be an anti-clariton — something that seeks to rob us of the truth of a clariton moment in our lives. The anti-clariton seeks to cancel out the clariton. It uses fears, doubts, and negative spiritual forces to remove the positivity given by Jesus through revelations of salvation, grace, peace, and love that we have previously experienced personally.

The real truth is that there is no anti-clariton force that even comes close to equalling the revelation of the Christ in our lives. Jesus' clariton influence for our good is so much greater than any unhelpful negative influences. Although they would have us to believe that they may be at work on our lives, this is not the case, even when for a moment this seems to be like a reality.

I know that Jesus' anointing of our lives with the Holy Spirit is foundational; we just have to let His power sink deep into our beings. Once it is there at our heart's centre, nothing can remove it. It is the rock that we can rely upon and the basis for our life to overcome the world's whispers of half-truths. When the world seeks to neutralize Jesus' love, we can reply with the confidence that comes from knowing the clariton of Jesus Who lives within: "Yes, Jesus loves me", and He has given the Holy Spirit as our Comforter!

1 John 5:5 – Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (ESV)

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we thank You for reminding us of what You have done to pay the price for us. We lift to You all those who are new believers in You. May Your love and peace keep them safe in Your kingdom. Imbue them with the Holy Spirit to lead them in the way everlasting. Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus! Amen.

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About the author:

Rod Marshall <roderickhenrymarshall@gmail.com>
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England
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