RAINBOW REFLECTIONS

It was a wonderful blessing to spend this past weekend at a retreat at one of my Holy Places on Canandaigua Lake. God is so good and faithful, revealing His presence and love to us through His Word, the beauty of nature, and the people He puts in our path.

 

God’s masterpiece sky

 

The one afternoon and evening I enjoyed spending time alone outside viewing the beautiful scenery instead of being inside doing different activities. The lake was tranquil, the sun was out for a bit, and some darker clouds moved in at one part of the sky.

Much to my surprise, some thunder in the distance could be heard. I was gazing upon the area of sunlight, and when I turned around the opposite way, I could see what looked like sheets of white reaching from the sky to the ground. I knew without a doubt a rainbow would soon appear. I grew anxious with expectation as I love to see God’s presence in a rainbow. Sure enough, God did not disappoint as I soaked up the God moment.

 

The beginning of two rainbows

 

In fact, there were two rainbows that emerged a little into the sky and then the one grew bigger where I could almost see the other end of the rainbow. I stood out on the open grassy field as it started sprinkling. A few minutes later, a gentleman who assists at the retreat house and I sought shelter under the nearby gazebo, in awe of the rainbow. It provided a time of fellowship as we talked about some of his journey and marveled at God’s masterpieces of creation. Feeling inspired to share a book of mine with him was a bonus too.

 

God’s covenant promise of the rainbow

 

God’s beautiful presence in the rainbow

 

It became a little chilly and windy as the torrential downpour continued for maybe ten or fifteen minutes. The rain and fog was so intense we could not see the lake that was in front of us until the sky got brighter and the rain lessened. Suddenly the sky where the darkness and rainbow were was replaced by a crack of light until at last the sky was illuminated in brightness once more.

 

The rainbow and me

 

Two things stood out to me as the scene unfolded…

…How interesting to think about how the sunlight reflects on the dark part of the sky where the rainbow then appears. The light of the sun reflecting upon the darkness creates a beautiful hue of colors resulting in a rainbow.

In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.  –John 1:1-5  (NLT)

The Word, Jesus, existing from the beginning, brings light into everything on this earth and to everyone. Darkness is overcome by Light, the Light that is Jesus. Jesus has overcome darkness. There is victory with Jesus.

 

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth.)  –Ephesians 5:8-9  (NIV)

We were once in darkness before we came to accept and know Jesus. What a privilege we have living as children of the Light, of Jesus!

 

Reflection questions:

~Is your life filled with the Light that is Jesus?

~How does your life reflect the beauty of the rainbow?

 

The more complete rainbow

 

…How often in the storms of life we can’t see anything until eventually the storm lightens up and light shines through. The light may just be a crack to start with, but the light begins to calm the raging storm.

Then he (Jesus) got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”  –Matthew 8:23-27  (NIV)

 Jesus is the only One who has the power to control the winds and storms in our lives just as He did on the lake with His disciples. Yes, Jesus can calm the storms in our lives when we reach out to Him. Sometimes He doesn’t take the storm away rather we trust Him more and are assured He is walking with us through the storm.

 

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.  –Isaiah 43:2  (ESV)

What encouragement we have knowing that no matter what storm we are walking through, we will not be overtaken. Jesus is with us every step of the way.

 

Reflection questions:

~Do you reach out to Jesus to calm the storms in your life?

~What are ways you can let the Light that is Jesus break through in your storm?

 

After the storm calmness with the moon shining

 

 

The colorful sky after the storm

 

This week, may you be encouraged to…

…know the Light, Jesus, has overcome darkness.

…know the Light is triumphant.

…let the crack of Light begin to calm your storm.

…know the Light is with you through the storms.

 

“Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.”  –Maya Angelou

“I kind of view everybody like a rainbow. Everybody on the planet has all the colors of the rainbow inside.”  –Alexia Fast

 

 “No longer will you need the sun to shine by day, nor the moon to give its light by night, for the Lord your God will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.”  –Isaiah 60:19  (NLT)