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I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.
-Genesis 9:13-15
I reread the Flood Story recently. I’m always struck by its epic nature. I’ve never seen a good movie adaptation of the story, but the scripture is powerfully told in the words we have. The conclusion is incredible. The gift of the rainbow as a symbol of God’s promise is with us still today. It’s mesmerizing every time I see one. It’s God’s promise that the world will never be destroyed again. The end of the world will be the coming of Christ and a NEW Kingdom.
We have had a long year in Quarantine. It would be easy, like Noah, to be discouraged, cooped up inside for so long during the relentless disaster. And yet, as we come out of this time of isolation and danger, slowly, we look for signs of the danger receding. And we look for signs of hope and promise and new life. God didn’t call Noah to hide forever, but to retreat to safety and protect the innocent. And when the time passed and waters no longer covered everything, God called Noah back out to care for the world. And we are called to do the same.
This summer, we will see rain, but rainbows too. We will see more and more chances to return to a new normal and come out of quarantine as folks are vaccinated. When you see a rainbow in the sky, graffitied on a wall, drawn by a child, or in a coloring book, I hope you’ll think of God’s promise, of hope, and be encouraged to go and serve.
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