First Corinthians 13:12 says, “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” Paul uses the metaphor of a mirror to explain our partial knowledge—our imperfect, refracted image—of God. While our current view of God falls short, Paul communicates the wonderful reality that someday believers will clearly see the Lord—face-to-face! Not only do believers share that future hope, but they also share a present joy: we are fully known by God, and even though we are fully known, Scripture tells us that we are also fully loved (cf. 1 Jn. 4:8–10, 19). Christians can rest in the assurance that someday their muddled understanding will be clear, and they will wholly know the God of love. With this encouragement, the Inkwell Literary Magazine staff is thrilled to present “Clarity”!

Clarity: the quality of being coherent and intelligible; transparency or purity.

Our writers have employed many beautiful metaphors of clarity—like Paul, one writer uses the motif of a mirror; others opt for parallels to unclouded skies or the unbroken surfaces of bodies of water. Other writers describe moments of clarity, such as determining a field of study. We are also pleased to include a guest submission by a current student in addition to our writers’ explorations of clarity in this issue.

You can read the full issue below, or you can download a PDF here!