A Rainbow That Reminds Us

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A couple of days ago, my family and I took a walk around our new neighbourhood. It being in England AND during winter, this meant doing it as quickly as we could between rain showers. At one point a beautiful rainbow appeared in the sky in front of us (pictured) and it got me thinking...

Growing up in a fairly dry part of South Africa, a rainbow always gave me a sense of excitement, because it meant that it was raining somewhere nearby. Rain was always needed, and therefore always welcomed.

Living in the UK (where it rains A LOT more frequently than in South Africa) a rainbow also gives me a sense of excitement, but for a different reason: it shows that the sun is breaking through the clouds somewhere nearby.

Rainbows happen in the same way in South Africa as in the UK. It's the same physics: water drops reflect, refract and disperse rays from the sun creating a rainbow. And yet, in different contexts, the same phenomenon means different things to me. In one context it reminds me of the gift that is rain. In another context the same rainbow reminds me of the gift that is sunshine.

And so it is with God's promises and love. In one context God's love may be made manifest in one way. In a different context, it may take a completely different shape. Here's one example (and there are so many other examples): For an introvert, God's love and care can be experienced most profoundly in being alone or with a few close friends/family at a time. For an extrovert, the same sense of Godly care and love is experienced most profoundly in the company of others.

God's love is experienced in wildly differing ways. And yet, it is the same love, and the same God Who loves, in both cases; in ALL cases. God's love is relevant and needed, no matter what our contexts, preferences or circumstances are. Let us not judge others by the way they experience God's love if it's different to ours.

So, as we celebrate Christmas again - whether with beers by the pool, or mulled wine by the fireplace; eating turkey and stuffing, or braaivleis and potato salad; building snowmen in the backyard, or sandcastles on the beach - let us remember that, in all contexts and in every circumstance, God is with with us. God, Immanuel.

'The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel' (which means 'God with us'). 
Matthew 1:23 (NIVUK)

 May you have a blessed, joyful and love-filled Christmas. And may you go into 2020 knowing that you are loved by the Almighty Father.

Selah.


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