More Than Just Colors in the Sky

Have you been feeling a little down on yourself lately? Like ordinary just doesn't even begin to describe how you see yourself? Feeling like you just are not doing anything well enough? I think we all feel that way at times. At least I will admit I do. I want to share something with you that I am hoping will encourage you and make you realize there is Someone who thinks you are the greatest - so much so He went out of His way to show you. But you might have never even realized it! Did you know:

No two people see the same one, even if they’re standing next to each other. In fact, each of your eyes sees its own. However, catch one on film, and it can be seen by many eyes at once. You cannot touch one and it is always in front of you while your back is to the sun.

Have you guessed what it is? It is a phenomenon of nature that’s fascinated people forever. Of course, I’m talking about rainbows. Have you ever spotted one of these colorful surprises decorating the sky and felt it was a special gift God created just for you? I know I have. All my life rainbows have fascinated me. I love the variety, the grace and beauty. Each one is unique and breathtakingly beautiful in its own way.

We all know that rainbows are round bands of color that appear in the sky after a rainstorm when raindrops are lit up by sunlight. Even though sunlight looks white, it contains all the colors of the rainbow: violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange and red.

But do you know why no two people ever see exactly the same rainbow? This fact delighted and amazed me. If you and a friend stand side-by-side looking at a rainbow stretched across the sky, you are at the center of the rainbow you see. Your friend is at the center of a completely different rainbow with an entirely different set of raindrops. Each of you gets to see your very own, personal rainbow! Isn’t that like our God?

When I thought about it, I am rarely the one who spots a rainbow first. Usually it is my children. As I considered this, I realized my children were in a constant state of expectancy. Whether they spotted a rainbow arched across the sky, a hummingbird sipping nectar from one of our Rose of Sharon or the first lemony daffodil poking up through the soil, they were always ready for the blessing. It didn’t surprise them as much as it thrilled and charmed them. In their innocent confidence they simply believe these wonders of nature were created just for them. Somewhere along the way, I seemed to have lost that sense of expectancy, and that confidence that there were blessings out there just for me. It made me wonder how many times a rainbow was majestically arched right over my head and I never even saw it.

I realized I’d allowed myself to become preoccupied with the mundane details of everyday living. While there are certain things that must be attended to, it was my attitude that needed adjusting. I’d stopped expecting to spot a rainbow. I’d forgotten to simply look up. What an elementary principle that is! It applies to all of life: where you focus determines what you find.

Living in a state of expectancy. God clearly tells us that this is how we are to live in Luke 21:28. I realized I’d neglected this truth. If you’re looking for an argument, you will undoubtedly find one. If peace is what you are seeking, you will be rewarded. If you’re looking for fun, it won’t be long before you’re laughing. If you’re always determined to find what is wrong, you’ll soon end up depressed and disappointed. If you’ve decided to find the good in everyone, your days will be filled with light. If you’re looking for a blessing, God will never disappoint you.

I was so focused on the earthly, I’d forgotten to be like a little child and look up expecting to see a rainbow. Once I learned that God creates a unique, personal rainbow for each person who will look for it, I made an attitude adjustment. God not only makes each flower, fish, snowflake and person special and unique, He even creates a rainbow just for each and every one of us. All we need to do is expect to see one and take the time to look up. After all, if He thinks you deserve one, who are you to disagree?

So if it’s weeds and worms you’re looking for, keep your gaze glued to the ground. But if it’s rainbows you seek, take a lesson from a little child and look up!

Always Awake

I've been reading some very interesting research on the brain. Our brain is the command post of our bodies. I heard one Christian doctor compare the brain to God. He said the brain controls the body as God controls the heavens and earth. I have to agree. One very critical element many of us are deficient in is sleep. And the brain and body absolutely must have adequate sleep in order to function properly.

We can all agree to that, I'm sure. I know if I don't sleep well for a few days in a row, not only do I lack energy, but I find I just cannot think clearly. Did you ever wonder why your thinking is so dramatically affected?

Your brain never really stops working! If it did, you wouldn't wake up. Your brain is busy orchestrating your body's maintenance processes. Dead and aging cells are replaced, muscles, tissues and organs are repaired and renewed, hormones and important immune-boosting chemicals are released. That's also why you are so much more susceptible to getting sick when you haven't slept well for a few nights. Your immune system is compromised.

It also takes any information you learned that day and consolidates it and makes it possible for you not only to remember it but to understand it more clearly. You actually lose about 30% of what you learn on any given day and up to two days earlier without adequate sleep. A study was done on birds and a specific part of their brains replayed songs they learned during the day while they slept. It seems even they depend on sleep for a sharp, well-functioning memory!

In comparing the brain to God, it reminded me of Psalm 121:3, 4 "He will not let your foot slip; He Who watches over you will not slumber; indeed He Who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep." I don't know about you, but that is very comforting to me. It doesn't matter what time of night or day - He is aware of me and my needs.

Your brain is created in such a way that certain functions only occur when you are asleep. So, technically, your brain is not sleeping, but when your body slows down and relaxes into refreshing, deep sleep, certain areas of your brain activate those important maintenance functions that are not activated when you are awake.

So one of the absolute basics for real health, is to be sure to get adequate sleep every night. Your body needs it and you will be allowing your brain to do what it was created to do for you. No matter what is keeping you up and preventing you from sleeping, remember, God is already up - let Him handle it. You know He will do a much better job anyway!