Here is That Rainbow I've Been Praying For

Yesterday I was listening to the downpour of rain. I knew the outdoor event I was attending would be postponed. But, we had seen the forecast, so it was already planned that the event would resume later in the day when the rain was gone. I thought about this old song:
I can see clearly now the rain is gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It's gonna be a bright, bright sun-shining day

Oh yes I can make it now the pain is gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is that rainbow I've been praying for
It's gonna be a bright, bright sun-shining day

Don’t those words express how we feel when, at last, the verdict comes out in our favor? Or, when the medical procedure or test reveals no disease? Or the baby is delivered after many hours of labor? Or the final exam grades were good enough to pass or even to earn a scholarship? Or any other test or trial that we go through that seems to have no end, but THEN, the bright, sun-shining day makes its way through to us.

Now, we’re singing a song of rejoicing because the obstacles that seemed insurmountable, the dark clouds, the pain, and the rain, are gone. All along God was there and we see the results of the work He has been doing in our lives. Oh, happy day! When we are going through difficult times, it is hard to see God’s Master Plan at work and, for goodness sake, we wonder what benefit could He possibly have in mind in the midst of our trials. The wait. Oh, the patience we must have during the wait. Why, Lord, does it take so long? Again, we hear. “Be patient, my child, I am working all things for your good. I promise you, you will thank me later.”

The Apostle James expressed it this way: “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” (James 1:2-4). Count it for joy? Seriously?

In God’s grand scheme of things…..the trials and the tests make us stronger. Our spiritual and moral fiber is being strengthened. Our story will soon have silver linings and it will be one, not only for the record books, but it will be a story that glorifies God and gives testimony to others of God’s amazing grace.

So now, we carry on. We pick up our swords and our crosses and we carry them with honor to the finish line. It won’t be much longer and it will be a bright sun-shining day again. The rainbow that we’ve been praying for will soon appear. What if trials of this life -- the rain, the storms, the hardest nights, are God’s mercies in disguise?

“Weeping may last for the night, but there is a song of joy in the morning.” Psalm 30:5.

Oh, To Have My Father’s Eyes and Heart

A few days ago in my post, I said “Nothing is impossible with God. What’s going on in politics and our world doesn’t define our happiness. Those thoughts pale in contrast to those of us who rise to the 30,000 feet view that our Father has when He looks at us and this world."

The meaning of that “30,000 feet view” is best explained by looking out the window of an airplane. We see puffy, white clouds that look like cotton and we may be inside those clouds and see nothing but white matter all around us. Down below there could be fires raging, traffic jams, floods taking over lands and lives, and chaos of wars and conflict.....but we can’t see it because we’re tucked away inside a protective cloud that blocks our view. It’s like a state of peace and contentment -- flying high above it all and not seeing what is “earth-bound”.

When there are no clouds that block our view, all we can see is methodical organization of fields and lands marked by dividers (roads), gorgeous mountain ranges, valleys and hills, rivers and lakes, towns and cities with spectacular skylines, neighborhoods that are perfectly aligned. We can even see little cars. We don’t see the chaos that's going on in those homes, cars or buildings. Oh to have that 30,000 feet view of life. It sounds heavenly, doesn't it? Oftentimes, that's the way we live. When it comes to living in God's peace that passes understanding (Philippians 4:7) -- it's a great way TO live. The eagle stories we hear about how they can fly above storms is a great analogy for us.

As peaceful the thought of not knowing about what's going on down below the clouds, or the thought of eagles being able to fly above it all, that wasn't God's life plan for us. He orchestrated our debut ON this earth and brought us to this place, at this time, to be right smack dab in the middle of LIFE and all that it holds. People are hurting. They are in need. Their world is falling apart. They need someone who SEES them and wants to do something to help them. We've heard the saying "They're so heavenly minded that they're no earthly good!" We're here to be earthly minded to LOOK and SEE -- SEE and BE the answer to someone's prayers, needs, heart cries, because we are servant minded -- like our Father and heavenly minded enough to want to take them to heaven with us!

We are here on assignment. When we make the Lord Jesus Christ the Lord of our lives, we are given an assignment by Him to BE His disciples and His light to shine brightly in this hurting and cynical world. We see and hear those who claim to be Christians, but it’s hard to identify them because of their anger issues, the backstabbing, and word-slinging that accompany their talk and walk and their positions that oppose God’s Word. It’s up to us to be the beacons of light that “preach a sermon” every day – not so much by what we say, but how we live, how we talk, and how we walk. Not only having our Father's eyes to see those around us in need but to be His hands that hold the hands of those who are hurting, touching the untouchable and reaching out to the unlovable. To be His feet that travels to the captives and the outcast and free them. To have His heart full of compassion that SEES others as valuable brothers and sisters in need of a role model. Matthew 9:36 "But when He SAW the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them......"

When people look inside our lives.....don't we want to hear them say "They've got their Father's eyes, His hands, His feet.....AND His heart?"

"V" is for VICTORY

Knowing my Honey would have a major surgery the next day, I called on my "walking/praying" buddies, Karen and Sheila. It was time to declare VICTORY as we made our seven laps around the hospital (like Joshua and his troops did, marching around the walls of Jericho). It was a hot day in Tulsa -- a heat index of 105 degrees, but when we started our "march", we felt a sweet breeze, fragranced with the flowers around the hospital. Looming up above were dark clouds, but we were enamored by the bright light that was behind them. We were reminded of the LIGHT of Christ and we had nothing to fear.

Such victory was in our hearts as we began our 7th Victory Lap. This time, we walked by Ron's room and and gave him the "V" is for victory hand sign. Soon, marching parallel with us, was a geese family, Mama, Papa, and six little ones. As we turned the corner, we heard "honk, honk, honk" and we thought our Geese Family had taken flight, but up above, flew a perfect "V" formation of geese and that was topped off by a lightning bolt across the sky -- God's exclamation point on our VICTORY!

That victory walk, and mindset, gave us the faith boost we needed for the next day. No, we didn't get the miracle victory we expected, but, without doubt, we knew our faith journey was guided by the One Who loves us most, desires to bless us with good things, and Who promises He will never leave us or forsake us. We continued to stand for our miracle, and though my sweet Honey's ultimate victory was a one-way ticket to heaven a few months later, my victory was, and is the same today "I am more than a conqueror" because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. Victory is IN ME! Our victories aren't defined by earth's space and time or, losses. They are defined by trusting in God's ways being the best ways, and that seals the deal EVERY TIME. 1 Corinthians 15:57 - "But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."