Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Coconut Cake & Rainbows...Just for YOU

When I was five years old, I celebrated my birthday surrounded with my family. I remember it so clearly- and that was, well, many years ago...

We had coconut cake, still one of my favorites. And as we were eating, a beautiful rainbow appeared in the sky. I remember thinking that God put that rainbow in the sky- just for me. After all- it was my birthday- and I was five- and when you are five- well- everything is all about you!


I still, get just that excited when I see a rainbow!

I was leaving church Sunday night and saw the most precious reminder of His love. A gi-nor-mous, vivid, double rainbow stretching before me. The colors danced- almost electric in nature from the backdrop of a grayish, pink- stained sky.

Thank You Lord. I needed that.

And He knew we would.

In order for us to see a rainbow, which is light, the sun must be shining behind you. And there must be rain in front of you. The sun has to shine into the rain drops, in order for the light to bend and then reflect.

Hum...let that sink in a little bit.


I’ve had a lot of raindrops lately.

Well, ahem...big drops..not cute little pitter-patter kinda drops- but BIG DROPS.

But guess what- The bigger the drops- the brighter the rainbow. That is the truth...I am not making it up! It is the way He designed it!

Reflect...that has been my prayer. I even wrote it on our mirror with a dry erase marker. Lord, let me reflect Your Glory in a big way today! 2 Corinthians 3:18.

The deal is, when we are in a relationship Christ, the veil that once separated us is removed so that we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more.
2 Corinthians 3:18
That washing that comes from the rain!!! There is nothing like it!!! Ephesians 5:26

In those storms & showers....The SON has your back (Joshua 1:5,Hebrews 13:5, Isaiah 43:2)!

If I am going to reflect His glory, there is going to be some rain. The darker the sky- the bigger the drops- the brighter the rainbow.

Every time I see a rainbow it is so special to me. It is His promise- that He will never leave us or forsake us. He understands. He protects. He provides. He heals. Above all- He made a way.

The “arc”/ark- is a sign throughout the Word of His all- covering protection... His plan for salvation. I saw that rainbow arcing...and I was reminded of all of the A-R-K’s he provided.

From Noah to little baby Moses and the Arc of the Covenant...there is purpose.

Noah...I think about His obedience in-spite of the world around him. I see the salvation plan foreshadowed...a floating barn...the tossing and enduring(they were in that ark for a long time!) And I see hope revealed by a promise in the rainbow arc.

Moses- I see a supernaturally protected babe carrying a promise of another who would be coming to supernaturally offer salvation.

The ark of the covenant...loaded with gold...carrying the Instructions formed by love...the Manna...the New Birth... HIS PRESENCE!

How cool is it that, this Ark, which was more like a box....or chest...would be replaced by our chest. Our heart...His temple.

Lord fill me. Let the excitement of Your presence carry me through the big rain storms...let Your Glory be reflected in me. Bring the rain...and thank You for the rainbows!

And by the way...I was on to something as my five year old, coconut cake filled face, gazed at that rainbow years ago...that rainbow was created just for YOU. If you had been the only one around- He would have died that horrible, disfiguring death...just for you- His plan of love- of eternal peace- was designed with you in mind- if only you....so the Master artist- has you in His heart- there is no greater joy that to put Him in yours.

If you are tired of dealing with storms- and no one has your back- that can all change. Surrender...ask Jesus to come and shine in your heart, soul and mind. It is an eternal decision. He promises to never leave you...no self help book, counselor, friend, family member- can ever fulfill that- only Jesus. He died for you. He saw your face even before you were in your mother’s womb and He saw it when He was on that cross. He has a plan for you that will not fail. Walk in it...and He will be with you every step of the way.

Ask for forgiveness...tell Him that you believe that He died for you...accept Him as Lord of your life. Then hold on...because I am confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6

If you just accepted Jesus- please contact me- I would love to pray with you and also share with you some Truths from His Word that will help you in your journey.

I'm off to make a coconut cake and enjoy the rain....

For His Glory...jananne