Blinded By Rainbows

Blinded By Rainbows written by Mick Jagger and released on the album Voodoo Lounge is the 20th studio album by The Rolling Stones, released in July 1994.   In my opinion this song “Blinded By Rainbows” is one of the most profound songs of the 20^th century.  I am impressed by the lyrics and impressed that such beautiful words could come from someone who has led the life of Mick Jaggers.  I pray, if not already, that he comes to the understanding of all the words he has written into this song.  He wrote it in response to the conflict that was taking place in Northern Ireland. 

This song symbolizes much of the pain, suffering, death, and destruction that is taking place in the world today that is missed because we are blinded by the rainbows in our life.  The rainbows represent wealth, a good job, our security, lack of personal strife, and the “things” we place so much pride into in today’s society.  The writer even makes note that we not only miss the suffering of this world but ask the question in his opening verse, “Did you ever feel the pain that He felt upon the cross?”  Well, do we?

We’ve become so preoccupied in the precious little things in our own lives, our “Rainbows”, that we’ve forgotten everything that truly matters.  Whatever it takes as long as we look good, smell good, and have good we will do it.  In our misplaced focus and passions we’ve lost or at best are losing our sight of the cross and the redemption that took place on it.  Oh, we see it, but we see it through tainted lenses.

James Ch.4:17 & Ch. 5:1-11 ESV

4:17 “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.”

5:1 “Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. 2 Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten.3 Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days. 4 Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. 5 You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you.”

Here, James warns us of misplaced focus and the passions of self indulgence.  He is warning us of our earthly rainbows and how in our self indulgence we persecute, condemn, and even murder the righteous, who does not resist.  He ends the previous chapter with a tough word instructing us that knowing the truth and not doing it is sinful in itself.  Here James epitomizes the term “Tough Love.”

But alas, he encourages us saying,

“7 Be patient, therefore, brothers,  until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. 10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

12 But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.

Now, there are several things we could take away from this passage but for the sake of this devotion, let’s focus on being steadfast and on verse 12  that our “yes” be yes and your “no” be no.  We must reach a point at which we are no longer fixated on the glitter and glam.  We can’t be fixated on rainbows if we are to be steadfast in the Lord.  Not only this, but we must be clear in our objectives and unafraid to draw clear lines.  So often today, people assume to say I’m a Christian or I believe is enough.  They feel no need to draw lines of distinction between themselves and the world.  They often become so caught up in the blindness found in their rainbows that they miss clarity, patience, and the righteous sufferings found in Christ. 

Christ return is inevitable!  Are you ready or have you become so blinded by the “Rainbows” in your life that you’ve lost focus on the suffering of this world?  Ask yourself this, are you ready right now to give account for your life to Christ?  Do you hurt when others hurt?  Are you compelled to share the gospel?  I hope so, but if not I pray that you feel compelled to see past your rainbows and begin to focus on the call of Christ in your life.  Lock onto the hope that is found in Jesus Christ and let Him radically change your life.  I promise things will change and your view of this world will never be the same.  He is our guiding light and our salvation, in Him is our righteousness found!


Listen To Song "Blinded By Rainbows"

Serving Christ by Serving You,

Bryan Taunton

Exec. Dir. FootWash Ministries

btaunton@FootWashMinistries.org

http://FootWashMinistries.org