A Devotion by Lindsay Hausch

READ

I have been reading Heaven is for Real with my girls. We are skipping over some parts and ad-libbing a bit to get through it— but they are SOAKING IT UP. Yes, it is good for all of our hearts.

The book talks A LOT about rainbows! It seems fitting since tomorrow is St Patrick’s Day. During children’s church yesterday, Melissa reminded us of rainbows with her reference to every child’s favorite cereal: Lucky Charms! (Go to our St. Matthew Group: St. Matthew Family Connection for an activity to do with your kiddos.)

I confess my kids have never tasted it—so shhh! don’t tell them how good it is.

Colton, the four-year-old boy in the book describes many rainbows that he saw in Heaven, and his dad, the author, highlights all the places where the Bible talks about rainbows also. In one chapter, on a clear and sunny day the Burpo family marvels at a vibrant rainbow that appears in the sky even though it hadn’t rained! Colton looks in the sky, and smiles, shrugs, and says, "Yep I prayed for it."

What does a rainbow mean for us today?

When I got to high school I had to stop wearing rainbows because suddenly it was distorted in our culture to mean something else.

God calls us to child-like faith. Child-like faith sees the wonder of a rainbow as God's answer to prayer, and as something filled with hope and possibility.

My heart needs that today. Do you?

Today when our hearts feel heavy let us take moments to renew our minds and hearts in Jesus where we can remember rainbows for the wonders that they are--and a day home as a gift to do special things like wear PJ's all day and drink hot drinks from our favorite at-home mug.

My friend reminded me with a text this morning, "remember this is a marathon, not a sprint.”

Today, take a moment to rest, renew, and remember the real meaning of things like rainbows. Remember that miracles are real and God not only hears our prayers, he answers them! Consider how a "quarantine" can be a chance to lean into Jesus as the author and perfecter of our faith.

STUDY

Hebrews 12:1-3

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Genesis 9:14-17

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.” So God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth.”

PRAY

Pray that God would help his people to run this race with perseverance as we fix our eyes on Jesus. Pray that he would use this challenge to teach us more about who he is and how we should respond.

DO

Read or watch Heaven is for Real

Remember that while some of the content does not align with Lutheran theology it can be an opportunity to consider and discuss how our church believes differently and why. Cling to the heart of the message: Heaven is for Real and Jesus will return to establish a new Heaven and a new Earth.