by Barbara Latta
Rainbows are illusions. Light shines through
raindrops to divide the rays of light into prisms of multi-colored arcs
producing the beautiful vision we see in the sky. Rainbows are a sign of God’s
covenant. But some seek the illusion of the pot of gold at the end of the
rainbow instead of relying on the
promises of God.
Thousands are lured to find their pot of gold
through lotteries or get-rich-quick schemes. Statistics show that the few who do
win big don’t improve their lives; in some cases the quality of life is worse
because their heart doesn’t change. The same habits and attitudes are still
active, and a large amount of money or prizes does not change their motives.
They usually end up poor, maybe in more debt than before. They followed the
illusion and when the illusion faded all was dark again.
Others look for their rainbow by taking the
easy way out through lack of discipline. Compromise. Cheating. Lying. Stealing.
Whatever takes the wide road that promises life will be better if you just
travel this path. There are many illusions in life. The pot of gold humans
search for is not always about riches.
The serpent in the garden painted a picture of
desire with an illusion. The promises he made were false and when the couple
gave in to the lie, they lost the pot of gold they already had.
I love rainbows. I take every opportunity to
take pictures when I see one. But following a literal rainbow will only produce
disappointment because they aren’t real. It’s only a vision. And so are the
dreams of rainbows and pots of gold. It’s like the wide road that Jesus talked
about.
That road is filled with signposts of empty
promises of pots of gold and success by taking the easy way. The wide road advertises
with beautiful billboards drawing the traveler to pleasurable sin. The other
road is less traveled because it doesn’t look attractive. It’s plain, straight
and narrow and doesn’t appear easy to navigate.
But the narrow road does have a rainbow of
promise. Not a pot of gold, but a life filled with gold. A golden relationship
with the King of the universe, a rich life full of victory over sin and
temptation, a promise of an eternal future walking on streets of gold in the
glory of heaven.
The wide road gives a pit of misery, not a pot
of gold.
The wide road is an illusion promising just
enough to trap the traveler until the gate closes behind them. The narrow
road’s promises are real. As real as the first promise made when the first
rainbow ever appeared.
How can we follow real promises in life and
avoid illusions?
Follow God’s signposts.
- Love the Lord with your whole being (Luke 10:27)
- Love your neighbor as yourself (Luke 10:27).
- Treat others the way you want to be treated (Matthew 7:12).
- Don’t judge others (Matthew 7:1).
- Give and you will be blessed (Luke 6:38).
- Humble yourself before God (1 Peter 5:6).
- Put others first (Philippians 2:3).
- Reject false teaching (Colossians 2:8).
- Wear your armor (Ephesians 6:10-18).
There are many signposts along the narrow way.
And this way is not difficult to follow when the first signpost listed is
observed. Because after that first step the Lord is the navigator and is
holding our hand all the way. The narrow road is a promise, the wide road is an
illusion.
What are some other signposts you can think of
to follow God’s road? Join the conversation.
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