Hebrews 10:35-36

³⁵ So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. ³⁶ You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.

[Journal – Narrative]

I’ll never forget that day, cold and windy. I was comfortable where I was, but you called from afar. It was hard to leave the things I knew or should I say…control. The still small voice in the distance wasn’t so still or small inside my soul. “Come, follow me!” you said with a reverberating sound I thought my bones were going to shatter. “Where are we going?” I asked while gathering my coat and walking out the door. “To chase rainbows,” you said with joy bubbling off your voice.

As I turned to close the door, I was shocked to see that the door had disappeared. “How could that be?” I asked. “I just walked out of the door.” With confidence in your eyes, you said, “Keep your eyes fixed on me. I’m taking you somewhere new.” I’m starting to realize that I never had a problem with “drawing near” [come] to my Savior but experiencing a mighty faith challenge…ok doubt…when it comes to “going after” [follow] the Creator wherever He calls.

As I walked, I could see storms brewing up ahead. “Do you see that?” I asked with cautious trembling. [SILENCE]. “WHERE DID YOU GO?!” I pleaded! These weren’t your normal storms that quickly pass through on a spring afternoon. I could see raging clouds gathering, amassing, forming as if they were headed straight for me. In the distance, I heard you calling as I cried out, “Keep your eyes fixed on me; we are chasing rainbows.” I thought in pure fear, “How could I chase rainbows when it’s pitch black all around me?”

The storm came, and it did not let up! I tried. In my weakness, I tried to keep my eyes fixed on you but all I could see were the clouds. They were so dark. One of the storm clouds is gaining strength now and lowering its base to meet me face-to-face as I walk on this road. The cloud resembles a face – tortured and angry. It opens what appears to be its mouth and yells, “You aren’t good enough! There are so many people better than you who could do what HE is asking! Why would anyone pick you?” While the storm cloud’s mouth was still open, I walked through it!!…broken. Yet, the cloud disappeared instantly.

My gait slowed significantly. I wanted to chase rainbows but not this way! “What are you doing to me?” I shouted. A breeze lifted my chin as I quietly heard in the distance, “Keep your eyes fixed on me.” Along the path, there were intermittent bursts of sunshine. Yet, I was still chasing the elusive rainbow. Just when I thought I had dried off from the first storm, I could see the second one rolling in, larger than the first. “No! not again!” I slumped. Fleshly speaking, I didn’t think I could survive another storm.

Yet, just before the storm hit, I could still “see” birds gathering together performing a beautiful dance in the sky as they took advantage of the gust. I could “see” the sand standing up in the wind from its original place on the ground as if it were praising its Creator with hands waving back and forth. I could “see” leaves swirling together as if they were thankful that the strong breeze brought them back together. I could “see” colors from the lightning that were normally hidden now brought to the forefront as if they were cheerfully running in great anticipation. I could “see” the animals playing in the field roused with excitement for water like children playing in a summer’s silhouette.

However, as I pressed on…the storm did too! The largest and fiercest of clouds threw his fiery darts of lightning straight for my mission. “You don’t see things!” he laughed in prideful acceleration. “That’s impossible and not real” he continued. The lightning and thunder gripped my heart as I fell to the ground. The hail pelted my back as I lost all strength to stand. The storm’s strong breeze ripped through my ears like never-ending gossip. “When will this end?” I cried out!

Just then, I felt His hand. “Peace be still!” He spoke. The storms split, the wind ceased, and the clouds parted. “Why did you bring me here?” I asked as He lifted me. “To chase rainbows,” He said confidently and with a smile. “You can’t get close to a rainbow without going through storms,” He whispered in a strong embrace. “Look up!” He said in confidence. There…just above was the most majestic rainbow I’ve ever seen. My eyes filled with tears for He kept His promise.

I ran chasing one end of the rainbow to the other while He watched and laughed like a father to a son. As I cheered, He said, “Don’t throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” [Hebrews 10:35-36].

As we sat near the end of the rainbow, the atmosphere shifted and it was as if the rainbow had landed in my lap [as described by a good friend]. It was now so bright that I could no longer see it. “Is this the pot of gold?” I jokingly asked. He said, “In fact it is!” He continued, “The last thing I told you was…’ you will receive what he has promised.'” I understood fully what He meant.

This “gold” was not what the world thought it was. The treasure is MEANT to be given away. It was a box of my spiritual gifts. God brought me to a new place, through storms, to SEE what He has not only spiritually gifted me with but to share with His people! These are NOT MINE but HIS. Therefore, I must give them away, and I’m pleased to do so.

I will carry my gifts with great anticipation as an ambassador for the King. Despite the storms, I will share Jesus’ LIGHT, VISION, PRAYER, and COUNSEL as a minister to His Word. No one (or thing) can take away what God has given to me, which is my testimony, spiritual gifts, and purpose!!! I [WE] are called to be His disciples.

Jesus is Lord. He has gifted you and me. As believers, we are ONE BODY IN CHRIST working collectively for HIS purpose. We are called to make disciples, heal the sick, counsel the brokenhearted, deliver the oppressed from the grip of darkness, and speak the name of Jesus wherever we go. We do all of these things through the power and authority of the Holy Spirit living inside of us, not OF US, but of God IN US. Praise God!

STORMS MAY CLAP, BUT I WILL NOT BE SILENCED.  

Thankful,

Christian Armetta