Driving through one small, Northern Michigan town or another, we saw a sign that read, "Why didn't Noah swat those two mosquitoes?" We laughed. I alone am sporting more than 40 bites. This is particularly bothersome since I am allergic to them. Right now, I look and feel like one giant hive.
As I drove, my passengers napped and focused on their electronic gadgets. During this quiet time, my mind kept wandering back to that sign. On an eleven-hour car ride, that's a lot of wandering. It wasn't until we were almost home that the simple answer hit me. Why didn't Noah swat those two mosquitoes? Obedience.
8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. Genesis 6:8 (NIV)
Noah had a track record with God. He was obedient. God knew he could tell Noah to do something and it would be done exactly as directed. He built an ark that was essentially a floating box without asking questions! Noah then put two of every kind of creature on the boat. Every kind.
Be thankful Noah was building the ark and not me. I can hear me now. "Um, God, how about some more windows? And you know, we might want to steer this thing." I would have had lots of windows -- for the rain to come in for 40 days and nights and sink the boat. And where exactly would I have steered to? The entire world was under water.
Even if I had managed to build the ark to HIs specifications without second-guessing everything, I can only imagine me standing at the entrance to the ark as the animals gathered:
Sheep? Excellent. We can make clothing out of your wool if it gets chilly floating along. Chickens? Eggs are tasty. Might need those when we land. Dogs? Man's best friend. Come on in. Cats? Sorry, no. I'm allergic and in these close quarters that just doesn't seem like a good idea. Mosquitoes? SWAT! Cool. Two for one. Now, where's that unicorn?
You know why my scenario plays out this way? Because I struggle with obedience. I like to be in control. I can do it better, faster, smarter than God. I am not always the sharpest tool in the shed, or the brightest star in the sky.
God picked Noah because Noah was obedient. Noah found favor with God. I cannot help but think what awesome responsibility God has for each of us that we haven't been assigned yet, because we haven't been obedient.
If you feel God telling you to do something, do it. This isn't the feeling of you wanting to do something and then trying to twist everything that happens into a "sign from above." If it is a true calling, you have found favor and only need to follow God's direction. It might take 40 days and nights of rain before the rainbow shows itself, but your choice to follow God will always be the right one.
Noah had a track record with God. He was obedient. God knew he could tell Noah to do something and it would be done exactly as directed. He built an ark that was essentially a floating box without asking questions! Noah then put two of every kind of creature on the boat. Every kind.
Be thankful Noah was building the ark and not me. I can hear me now. "Um, God, how about some more windows? And you know, we might want to steer this thing." I would have had lots of windows -- for the rain to come in for 40 days and nights and sink the boat. And where exactly would I have steered to? The entire world was under water.
Even if I had managed to build the ark to HIs specifications without second-guessing everything, I can only imagine me standing at the entrance to the ark as the animals gathered:
Sheep? Excellent. We can make clothing out of your wool if it gets chilly floating along. Chickens? Eggs are tasty. Might need those when we land. Dogs? Man's best friend. Come on in. Cats? Sorry, no. I'm allergic and in these close quarters that just doesn't seem like a good idea. Mosquitoes? SWAT! Cool. Two for one. Now, where's that unicorn?
You know why my scenario plays out this way? Because I struggle with obedience. I like to be in control. I can do it better, faster, smarter than God. I am not always the sharpest tool in the shed, or the brightest star in the sky.
God picked Noah because Noah was obedient. Noah found favor with God. I cannot help but think what awesome responsibility God has for each of us that we haven't been assigned yet, because we haven't been obedient.
If you feel God telling you to do something, do it. This isn't the feeling of you wanting to do something and then trying to twist everything that happens into a "sign from above." If it is a true calling, you have found favor and only need to follow God's direction. It might take 40 days and nights of rain before the rainbow shows itself, but your choice to follow God will always be the right one.
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