By Tonya S. Swindell

“I Believe I Can Fly,” an R&B song written, produced and performed by R. Kelly, sheds light on the power of seeing to believe through visualization, meditation and affirmation.

The most revealing lyrics say, “If I can see it, then I can do it. If I just believe it, there’s nothing to it. I believe I can fly. I believe I can touch the sky. I think about it every night and day. Spread my wings and fly away. I believe I can soar. I see me running through that open door. I believe I can fly. I believe I can fly. I believe I can fly.”

The prophet Habakkuk was commanded: “Write this. Write what you see. Write it out in big block letters so that it can be read on the run. This vision-message is a witness pointing to what’s coming — it can hardly wait! And it doesn’t lie. If it seems slow in coming, wait. It’s on its way. It will come right on time.”

Writing what I see and how I feel during dreams and visions helps me recall, reflect and pray for further revelation. If I see something disturbing, I can meditate on scriptures and affirmations to regain peace.

Searching scriptures, meditating on God’s Word and developing affirmations enriches my relationship with God. The psalmist said, “…but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither — whatever they do prospers.”

The King James Version Dictionary definition of “meditate” is: “To dwell on anything in thought; to contemplate; to study; to turn or revolve any subject in the mind…”

Meditation is also like a cow that chews food, regurgitates and chews even more until the food digests. When I spend time meditating on God’s Word, the Holy Spirit breaks down the message so I can understand it.

Apostles Peter and John had revelatory dreams and visions. Peter realized salvation is for all people after having a dream. Apostle John described visions intended to bring hope to believers about Christ’s return to earth.

The prophet Joel envisioned what would happen in the last days on earth. He prophesied: “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.”

I’m a witness that God-inspired dreams and visions are beneficial, especially when complemented by meditation and affirmations.

R. Kelly believed he could fly as a result of visualizing and thinking about flying day and night. Walt Disney, a modern visionary, said: “If you can dream it. You can do it.” His sentiments could also be phrased: “If you imagine it, you can achieve it;” and “If you can dream it, you can become it.”

Tonya Swindell writes a blog for www.inspirenewlife.org and a teacher for Kingdom Building Equipping School (KBES.com). She can be reached at 1brightot@gmail.com.