
How 8 Year Olds + Chalk + A Pandemic Reclaimed the Rainbow… Plus An Idea for us Bigger Kids.
If you were to ask the majority of Millennials or Generation Z’s, what a rainbow stands for, they would say, “Diversity and the LGBTQI Movement.”
Ask any 8 year old this week, and they will tell you it stands for HOPE.
Despite the terrible tragedy of the coronavirus pandemic, there have been some incredible initiatives and movements birthed in this time.
One of the most astounding and joy-filled movements has been the “Rainbow Trail”. Children are using chalk and paint to draw rainbows, all over the world, to tell their peers and the adults in their lives that there is HOPE!
Indeed after every storm, there is a rainbow.
Much like the original rainbow sent after the 40-day flood in the Bible, these rainbows being painted all over the world are reminding people that this pandemic will end; there is HOPE for us all!

An encouraging message at Duhig Village nursing home, Holland Park, Brisbane.
It is such a simple concept with very simple tools, tools that nearly every 8-year-old has, yet the impact has been amazing. My children can’t wait to go for our daily walks to see how many new rainbows there are in the windows and driveways of our street. My children have been drawing them as well, and this has given them purpose and a reminder of God’s faithfulness in this time.
And so I have realized that with just what we have in our hands, we can make a significant difference and we can take what the enemy intends for evil and claim it (or reclaim it) for good. We can see darkness be overcome with light. As my friend Pat Steele says, “We can paint the world with love and joy!”
And so, I find myself asking my older friends, those who have maybe moved on from chalk to tablets, laptops, iPhones and Galaxys to join me in a movement that I believe can be just as effective in reclaiming that which has been spreading so much fear (social media), for the Kingdom of God and the cause of Christ.
Let’s flood social media, using what we have in our hands, with HOPE.
Introducing the Hope Movement: An idea whereby we can all share our stories of Hope, how we came to Christ and the difference He has made in our lives.
It’s literally this simple.
1. Shoot a 60-second Hope Story (your testimony) and upload it to your social media.
2. Use the tags #hopestory and #hopemovement
3. Challenge your friends / church / page / group to do the same. Tag them, message them, and spread the challenge.
4. Then share this blog and the video below to let everyone know about this challenge.
Find out more about this movement, and register for more ideas on how to share hope, at www.hopemovement.com.au
I can’t wait to see my social media filled with your stories of hope. Instead of simply consuming content in this season, let’s create content that can change someone’s eternity. It doesn’t have to be fancy, it just has to be real. And your real story can make a real impact.
Imagine if just one of our unsaved friends meets Jesus and knows His love as a result of these videos! Just 60 seconds could change someone’s eternity forever!
See you online real soon!
Andrew
PS: Can’t do a video? Why not post your story as your status? Or text your story to some friends. We can all make a difference in this time!
[Photo by Sheri Hooley on Unsplash]Recent Articles:
7 February 2025
3.4 MINS
Beyoncé, an R&B legend, was handed the Best Country Album for “Cowboy Carter” at the Grammy Awards on Sunday. John Rich – a Christian, clued-in culture critic, and Country Music veteran – questioned the legitimacy of the awards process.
7 February 2025
8.2 MINS
I was once very much a man of the left, but since becoming a Christian, I have moved to the right. But neither one deserves my complete allegiance. While much of conservatism I readily embrace, there are some aspects of it that I want little to do with.
7 February 2025
5.2 MINS
Trump has not only reversed misguided Biden-era policies related to life and family, but has also advanced socially conservative policies at a pace few anticipated. Given the breadth of action taken, it is worth summarising these recent developments.
7 February 2025
4.4 MINS
The truth can hurt, and it can hurt badly. But to experience hurt is not the same as to experience harm. There are ultimately only two worldviews: the biblical and the secular. Let us share God’s truth as unashamed followers of the Way.
6 February 2025
7.7 MINS
Even before the inauguration of Donald Trump occurred, it was evident that the zeitgeist of the Western world had shifted. But I don’t think anyone had predicted that change would occur so decisively and quickly.
6 February 2025
2.3 MINS
The Canberra Declaration has become a proud partner of the Church and State Conference 2025. Even more exciting, Warwick Marsh and Kurt Mahlburg will speak at the national CAS Conference in Brisbane from 7 to 8 March 2025! Don't miss it!
6 February 2025
1.6 MINS
Leila and Danny Abdallah have released their 4 Steps to Forgiveness, a new initiative to help sufferers identify how to forgive those who have hurt them, and what to do next.