Rainbows.  They are everywhere this month.  As I walked through the mall last week, store fronts without some variation of the rainbow were almost nonexistent.  Clothing stores with apparel printed front to back with rainbows.  The bags, to-go coffee cups, and advertising…..all brimming with the same LGBT+ message. Throughout our nation, we are inundated with images of the rainbow and the message of togetherness and acceptance it conveys regarding new sexual norms.  

And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations. I have set my rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.”

Genesis 9:12-13

Over the last forty plus years, the rainbow has grown in popularity and is now representative of the LGBT+ platform.  In fact, few other movements over the last century have drawn as much traction as the recent LGBT+ movement.  Advertising, company logos, apparel, bumper stickers, school lounges, parades, and last but not least, rainbow flags flying high in the sky adjacent to the U.S. flag.   Most secular institutions have embraced it as well…..the entertainment industry, public schools, higher education, and our government.  The list is quite literally endless.  It has become a unique cultural crusade that demands adherence to its message from our society at-large.  Any nonconformity to this new sexual framework will land you in the hot seat being labeled unloving and intolerant.  Similarly, I expect this blog post will go over like a lead balloon with the majority of its readers, even several of my closest friends and fellow Christians.  Nonetheless, it must be addressed.  Few people have the courage to stand in love and speak biblical truth on this topic for fear of being criticized.  But, I’d suggest to you that saying or doing nothing to push back against this movement is synonymous with compliance. 

The LGBT+ initiative has unfortunately defiled the true significance of a rainbow and sexuality.   The first mention of a rainbow is found in the biblical account of Noah within the book of Genesis.  Throughout this story, Noah and his family are spared from a worldwide flood because of Noah’s Godly righteousness within a generation that had grown wicked.  For forty days and forty nights, flood waters rose and covered the surface of the earth.  Every living creature was submerged and blotted out from earth except for Noah and his family.  Alongside animals of all kind, Noah and his family were kept safely within an ark for 150 days until the waters receded.  Once reestablished on land, God set a rainbow in the sky to serve as a symbol of his loving promise never to destroy all of humanity again.  

Fast forward to today.  If you asked any young adult what the rainbow symbolizes, I do not supposed that the response would be a reference to the biblical covenant made with Noah and all future generations. It would likely be some version of the contemporary LGBT+ ideology.  I’ve seen it first-hand regularly in the lives of our teens and young adults.  Within the walls of our home, we routinely have lengthy discussions in an effort to clarify and redirect the faulty ideas regarding sexuality bombarding our kids.  It is a daily campaign for the hearts and minds of all people. As Christians, we must work diligently to replace these lies with the promises of God.  It requires and active and intentional effort to reclaim the Godly heritage tied to the rainbow; a reminder of his unending faithfulness, mercy and commitment to us.  We are called to uphold the the biblical covenant of the rainbow.  As parents, it is certainly an uphill battle as most will agree.  

Living along the shores of Keuka Lake, we routinely see rainbows appear over the lake after a storm has passed through and the sun begins to peek out.  When we talk with our four teens about the rainbow, we choose to focus on the promise of God.  It just so happens that our youngest son is named Noah.  We did not choose his name because of the biblical roots associated with his namesake.  But, as I look forward on his life, I smile just a bit when I think about the giant of faith that the biblical Noah was with his unwavering obedience to God.  My prayer for our son Noah, family, and all of humanity is that we would understand and embrace this same obedience!  

When you look up to see a rainbow stretched across the backdrop of the sky, remember its true meaning……holy and beautiful in its colors and enduring promise.