Rain and rainbows are so indicative of life, aren’t they?
The rainbow is there stretching before us, a symbol of goodness and hope. Yet, you have to endure the storm, and look through the raindrops to see it.
In my adult years there have been two periods of time which have been extraordinarily difficult for me. Life changers if you will. One of these experiences brought me immediately closer to God. I was on my knees seeking His presence, His guidance, His wisdom. Though I was in a very dark place, I never blamed God, and was never angry with Him. I learned so much about His love and grace during this period.
The second experience had the opposite effect, at least initially. I was brought up in the church, and accepted Jesus at a very early age. A relationship with God was all I’d ever known. However, when this event occurred, for the first time in my life, I found myself looking at God and backing up. My thoughts whirled with questions like, “Is God really good? If so, how could this have happened? How could a good God allow this? Where was He when this tragedy unfolded?” To say that I was in a dark place spiritually is a vast understatement. I felt as though my very foundation was crumbling. Over a period of months, I cried to God and ultimately raged at Him, questioning His goodness and even His presence.
It has been years, and I still don’t have answers to all of my questions in regards to why God allows certain things. I’ve accepted the fact that I just will not understand this. But this much I do know. God didn’t let me go. When I turned away, He did not. When I was angry, He was merciful. When I was full of doubt, He made His presence real to me. Like most of us, I’ve lived through some storms. The rain fell fast and hard. I’m sure it has for you as well. Your storms may look much different than mine. But the simple truth is this. The rain will lessen. It will eventually stop. The raindrops may remain on the windows. They may still be dripping down your cheeks, but if you look up, eventually you’ll see the rainbow. Rainbows come only on the other side of the rain.
I love the hymn “O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go” by George Matheson. He writes,
O Joy that seekest me through pain
I cannot close my heart to thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain
That morn shall tearless be.
The rain will fall, but thank God, the rain is not the end.
