Advent 2016: Be a Rainbow

Readings: Psalm 124, Genesis 9:1-17, Hebrews 11:32-40

The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the early. (Genesis 9:16)

There are few things in the world that can stop me in my tracks like a rainbow. I “ohhh” and “awww” and point to the sky like a small child. Rainbows fill me with wonder and I’m never bored by their magical appearance.

I’ve known about the Biblical meaning of a rainbow for my entire life. Sunday school stories, both lighthearted and terrifying, are forever etched in my brain. As a kid who struggled with the real fear of the fire & brimstone messages of the Bible, the rainbow was a symbol I clung to that reminded me of God’s love.

God was making a promise. And rainbows were a sign that he was good for it.

What if the Lord had not been on our side
when people attacked us?
Our help is from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 124: 1, 8)

What if the Lord had not been on our side?

What if the Lord was out to get us? What if the Lord was always looking for us to screw up? What if the Lord is a evil god who gets off on our pain and suffering?

Or…

What if the Lord loves us enough to give us rainbows
And rain that falls on the righteous and the evil
And llamas
And sunflowers
And fires to warm us
And a little baby in a manger who would be a different kind of man…who would challenge us to be different kinds of people…to build a different kind of world.

What if the Lord had not been on our side?

<shiver>

But she was. He is. They always will be…on my side, on your side, on our side.

The rainbow proves it.

And how can I repay this lovingkindness? Let’s ask Ms. Maya…[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtdffxj7pNE[/embedyt]

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