Mr. Gant
Railroads and Rainbows
This week, our Middle Schoolers went on a field trip to see the Golden Spike, the place where the two sides of the Transcontinental Railroad met. The Central Pacific Railroad Company built east from Sacramento, California, and the Union Pacific Railroad Company built west from Omaha, Nebraska. On May 10, 1869, the workers met in Promontory Summit, Utah and drove the last spike, the ceremonial “Golden Spike,” into the ground. Because these men worked to connect the Eastern and Western United States, the country was changed forever. Families were able to move out west faster, goods were more accessible, and the country felt a sense of literal unity right after a bloody Civil War. It is truly a blessing that this piece of American history is in our backyard. Despite the rainy start, our scholars loved getting to see the trains and hiking along the old rail beds looking for places where dynamite was used.
On the drive up, we saw a clear double rainbow in the sky. Not only was this a beautiful contrast to the gloomy weather, it ties right into our lessons from Bible class. We are currently studying the Noahic Covenant. God brought judgement through a flood, but he spared his people by providing a way of salvation in the ark. He then made the rainbow the sign of his covenant with Noah. This rainbow is a reminder that God currently shows patience to the wicked and does not lash out in judgement immediately. He graciously allows the righteous and the wicked to enjoy the blessings of creation, providing many opportunities for the wicked to turn from their sins toward him. Even though sinful humanity deserves judgement, God shows grace and provides a way of salvation by sending his Son. Ultimately, Christ is our only hope. All of the judgement that we deserve was poured out on him on the cross. He endured the flood waters of God’s wrath. Just as all in the ark were spared, Christ offers all who are in him forgiveness of sins and life with God now and forever. May we not take God’s mercy for granted but turn in faith to Christ our Savior and Lord.
