I wish I could remember the first time I saw a rainbow.
What did it feel like to suddenly see a spectacular blast of colors precisely positioned in the sky?
Even as an adult, I still stop to gape whenever I witness the beauty of a rainbow. I bet you do too. How many times has someone gotten your attention to say, “Look! A rainbow!”?
Its appearance after a storm marks a turn toward calmer weather and the in-breaking of the sun.
Scientifically, we know that rainbows appear when raindrops act as tiny prisms.
Spiritually, the rainbow has acted as a symbol of our faith. In Genesis, we are told the story of Noah and the great flood. As the floodwaters receded, God gave Noah a sign of God’s faithfulness: the rainbow.
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.
—Genesis 9:13-15a
Every time you stand in awe in front of a rainbow, remember that it symbolizes God’s faithfulness to the earth. The rainbow is one of many unique symbols of our faith.
We will begin a new sermon series on Sunday titled The Symbols Of Our Faith.
Historically, symbols have been significant to the Christian faith.
Why?
Because we worship an invisible God.
We cannot see God with our eyes like we can see the rest of the world. We cannot touch God as we would a solid object.
Symbols provide a tangible representation of the invisible elements of our faith. They help us see differently.
Symbols are something we can see and touch and experience as they point to the deeper mysteries of God.
Each week we will study one symbol of our faith. Here is an overview of where we are headed.
The Symbols Of Our Faith
July 7- The Bread and Cup
July 14- The Apostles Creed
July 21- The Lord’s Prayer
July 28- The Baptismal Font
August 4- The Offering Box
Other symbols will make appearances throughout the series too— symbols such as the cross, the dove, and the fish. Be looking for symbols of God’s presence in your life. They are everywhere, if we have eyes to see.
See you on Sunday!
—Pastor David
