Coming Full Circle

Genesis 9:12-16 – And God said, "This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth." (NIV)

"It only makes sense, that from the air, one would be seen as a full circle," claimed my husband, after a few moments' assessment of what we had seen. I know he's right, but if we hadn't actually experienced seeing one, the statement would never have been made, which only goes to emphasize how awesome this really was. It just wasn't something that one encounters on a daily basis.

I know you're wondering, "What on earth is she talking about?" You'd be more accurate wondering, "For heaven's sake, what is she talking about?"

In July 1997, my husband and I made a trip to Atlanta, Georgia. I went on business, while he "went along for the ride". After a delay due to stormy weather, we flew out of Waco, Texas, to catch a connecting flight in Dallas. While en route to Dallas-Fort Worth, we saw the most amazing thing out the window, to the right side of the airplane. It was a rainbow! And not an ordinary rainbow, for it formed a complete circle. It was truly one of the most amazing things I have ever seen! For several moments, it seemed as if we would fly right through it. This was about the time my husband made the comment I mentioned previously.

It has been a while since I thought about this remarkable sight, but recently it came to mind after reading the story of Noah, and particularly today's Scripture verses.

We perceive the rainbow to have ends, and we share a fun legend with our children about the pot of gold at its end. But I've seen it with my own eyes, and I'm excited to say, a rainbow has no end at all! Just as God's promises to us and His love for us have no end, we now know that neither does the sign of His promise made so very long ago. But there's more! The good news is this: there is a fortune, but it is not found at the end of the rainbow. It is found within the rainbow. Jesus, our pot of gold, cannot be found at the end of our life, but must be found within our lifetime.

Prayer: Loving God, Your promises go beyond what we have on earth. It is only when we offer ourselves and lift others up to You, to be encircled in Your arms, that we can behold the entire beauty of Your promises. Amen.

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