Noah

So make yourself an ark of cypresswood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out...Noah did everything just as God commanded him…The Lord then said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation”… And Noah did all that the Lord commanded him ...Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth." Genesis 6:14, 22-7:1, 5-9:1 

I read the story of Noah this week and had a new appreciation for the guy.  Think of all the courage it took to do what the Lord commanded him in spite of the lack of a certain plan.  Most certainly his neighbors, and perhaps his family, were laughing at him the whole time. And those days on the water, stuck inside, in a boat with all those animals and cranky people? 

We have all felt a little bit that way recently. We certainly don’t know what the future holds, but we’re trying to trust what we hear. Whether we’re wearing masks or not, staying inside or not, people are pointing fingers and questioning our judgement. We’re doing our best with the knowledge we have, but we’re not sure what’s right. We’re staying the course. And in the end, we will get the chance to “repopulate” our lives. What will you restart? What will you let go? How will you reframe the future you? Will you be more cautious? More adventurous? Show more kindness? 

One thing is sure. God is in control, and no acts or experience done from the goodness in our hearts will ever be wasted. Scripture promises us that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28) God will use ALL things for the good of those who love Him.

Prayer:  Sometimes, Lord, it’s just hard. It’s hard to know who to trust. It’s hard to know what to do. It’s hard when people don’t do things the way I do them.  When I’m losing my patience, feeling angry, or just confined, help me to think like Noah and find hope.  And when I get to do whatever I want to, please fill my mind with fruitful and generous thoughts.  Amen 

Lori Snyder-Sloan