Rainbows
What started as an idea from one parent to make her family’s daily walk a little more interesting, has become an image of hope and gratefulness. The original Facebook group has the description “Our children soon won’t be able to see their friends. Create a rainbow picture to display in your window so that children can go rainbow spotting whilst out for walks.” Who doesn’t love the sight of a Rainbow in the sky – there is something magical and ethereal about them – even when we understand the science they are still truly unfathomable.
The Rainbow has had a number of re-incarnations throughout modern culture, from My Little Pony to Unicorns to Pride, it is most often used to represent fun, vibrant, magical other-worldliness and latterly unity and diversity. Now it is brings with it a message of hope and thanksgiving.
Of course, there is a story about the Rainbow which travels back through the millennia – one which is a staple of Sunday School and probably most Primary School RE or Assembly curriculum. My youngest daughter, as a toddler, would point at a Rainbow and say “God’s Promise.” The story of Noah & his ark, always a favourite with children because of the animals, is one of the few Biblical tales which is still etched on our collective cultural Psyche. God’s promise is for eternity
I promise every living creature that the earth and those living on it will never again be destroyed by a flood. The rainbow that I have put in the sky will be my sign to you and to every living creature on earth. It will remind you that I will keep this promise forever.
I believe that this promise is wider than just a flood. I believe that God promises that he will protect His creation for ever. In a time of global pandemic, this is a hope that we all need to believe in.