Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Lisa Burkhardt, D.Min.
One of my favorite all-time movies growing up was The Wizard of Oz. I related to the main character, Dorothy, who believed that somewhere over the rainbow, her dreams would really come true. Like Dorothy, I have always been a dreamer. Dreaming of new ways to serve God, interesting books to write, and ways to encourage others. My creative head is often in the clouds.
But sometimes the journey over the rainbow is bumpy.
On Saturday, out of obedience, we staged a Level-Up Women’s Conference in Austin, Texas. It was our 20th event, but holding a conference in another city is never easy, even though we pray for the event 40 days prior to the conference.
We experienced many challenges. A few weeks before, a team member had to drop out due to a family commitment. Our Worship Leader contracted COVID the week of the event, so she could not serve. Our Austin ministry partner, Gina Bennett, lost her beloved dog two days before the conference. The church we were renting had designated an AV guy to help us with slides and audio, but his mother was hospitalized the night before Level-Up, and understandably, he could not work the conference. On the day of the event, I missed a step and fell down the stairs in the house we were renting. Fortunately, I did not break anything. I am just a little bruised up.
However, from experience, I know that when we encounter so much opposition, that means it is probably going to be an incredible event, and it was! The team rallied and filled in the gaps. Every song and every message was anointed as we leveled up miracles and mentoring, and leveled down misery. Those who attended seemed blessed by the event. Afterward, we were in awe of the way the Lord moved.
What is interesting is that after the conference, my daughter-in-law texted a drawing my four-year-old grandson made of him and his father looking at rainbows. The next morning, I saw this passage in my Bible reading:
Like the appearance of the rainbow in the cloud on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the radiance. It was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of ADONAI. I saw it, fell upon my face, and heard the voice of the One who was speaking (Ezekiel 1:28).
The prophet Ezekiel had just seen a vision of God’s throne, and the radiance around it was like a rainbow. In this passage, I felt God was saying that, even though it was a tough journey, with God’s strength, we persevered and reached the other side of the rainbow at the Level-Up Conference. Our dreams and prayers for a wonderful conference came true as God’s glory was displayed in Austin.
What do rainbows mean to you?
#