Rain and Rainbows

Last month on our annual family road trip down south, we were met with sporadic showers accompanied by a marvelous array of rainbows, showcasing prominently in the rain. Overwhelmed at the sight, my mother declared, "How can there be both rain and rainbows?" Her question prompted a laugh from all of us. "Mom," I said knowingly, "there can't be rainbows without rain." This was immediately followed by another laugh, and then we all sighed as we recognized the deeper significance of that statement. Indeed, in order for us to really grasp the true hope of our faith in God, trials must accompany our discovery (1 Pet 1:6-7). I will only know how good God is when I see how absolutely messed up things (myself) are.

We are often surprised when things get hard (1 Pet 4:12). And sometimes that rainbow isn't so immediately apparent. But we can look with anticipation to the full revelation of God's glory - making the rainbow a mere prelude.