Spring is in full swing and so are the rainstorms. It feels like it’s been raining for weeks now, or at least there is a constant threat of it. But as Dolly Parton once said, “The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.” So true, Dolly. So true.
The very first rainbow was seen by Noah and his family after the great flood. The rainbow became a symbol to the nation of Israel to remind her of God and His covenant to never flood the earth again (see Genesis 9:8-17). The rainbow was said to encompass the majesty and beauty of God and gazing at one could cause potential injury as it was a reflection of the glory of the Lord (Source: Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible).
Elsewhere in the Bible, a rainbow is mentioned when Ezekiel has a vision of the glory of the Lord. He records, “There was a brilliant light all around Him. The appearance of the brilliant light all around was like that of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day. This was the appearance of the form of the LORD’s glory.” (Ezekiel 1:27-29, HCSB)
Is that not just beautiful?
But I wonder: what if Ezekiel had never been through a rainy day? What if his days were only filled with copious amounts of sunshine and no dark clouds ever graced the sky? Would the light have shown up so brilliantly if it were not contrasted against a cloudy, rainy day? Probably not.
The same is true for us, Friends. What if we never experienced troubles or heartache? Do you think that if we lived a life filled only with sweet times and memories that we would be able to recognize them for how sweet they truly are? Would the light of Christ shine as brightly through us if we never had to go through hard times? Probably not.
Dolly had it right after all. What’s a little rain when the outcome is REFLECTING LIGHT?