Repurposing Rainbows, and the Art of Weaving on Straws

                March overflows with leprechauns, pots of gold, and rainbows. It's to this last thing to which I now turn. No Judeo/Christian symbol is as controversial as the rainbow. Its made deep roots in many cultures, including the American one. For many, it is a political symbol advocating the free expression of an unbiblical lifestyle. Even in a more innocuous way, for us Irish Americans, it's a symbol of our cultural heritage.  Nevertheless, it's more than a cultural or political symbol. Because of years of cultural co-opting, its biblical meaning has yet to be recovered. Here I argue three reasons why Christians should use the rainbow in our preaching, teaching, and worship.

1. God desires peace with all humankind

                

            The book of Genesis tells us that God destroyed the world with a flood because of its wickedness. But after the flood receded, he promised Noah and all living creatures that he would never destroy the world with water again. This promise would be suitable for Noah and all living things throughout history. In other words, God was again at peace with all humankind when he set the rainbow in the sky.

                

            Genesis 9:8-16 says this, 8 Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him: 9 "I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you 10 and with every living creature that was with you—the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you—every living creature on earth. 11 I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth."

12 And God said, "This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: 13 I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 14 Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, 15 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. 16 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."

2. Many human beings do not know they need peace with God.

            The cause of the original rainbow being set in the sky was the sins of humanity. Thus all men became the enemies of God, but Noah and his family found grace. Therefore the rainbow reminds us all that we need grace. James 4:4 tells us that all of us became enemies of God through our sins, yet faith in Jesus reconciles us to God the Father.

3. Rainbows are familiar to everyone.

            Almost everyone is familiar with the rainbow. It's frequently used in non-Chrsitian ways. However, they are great conversation starters because they are so frequently seen in our culture. Believers can explain the true origins of the rainbow. When we use the rainbow, we can demonstrate that God desires to be at peace with all people and points us all to our reconciliation with God if we repent of our sins and believe in him.

                

            Turning to the picture above, the rainbow bracelet was made by weaving on straws. It is composed of size 4 regular yarn, which is variegated, giving it the rainbow effect. Many tutorials can be found by searching the term straw weaving on Youtube, but I will summarize the process here. The process can be simplified as taping three or four staws together at the bottom. You may also use a regular-size bandaid if you do not have the tape. Then one ties yarn on the bottom of one straw and weaves over and under each straw going back and forth. The next step is to cut a 20-inch piece of yarn and feed it through each straw. When done with this. Create a knot at the top of your weaving. Remove the straws, letting the weaving rest on the strings that were formerly in the straws. Push the weaving close together, making sure to leave about 10 inches of yarn on each end. 

            Tie knots at the edge of your weaving on both ends. Once you have made a knot at both ends of your weaving, you then can trim your excess yarn. Cut your yarn ends to about 5 inches. You can finish the bracelet in many ways. I recommend making a knot at both ends. Then make a sliding knot to make the piece adjustable. 

You can also find videos on making a sliding knot with a cord or yarn. In any case, the project is lots of fun, and when you are finished, you have a perfect symbol of peace with God.