So, what are some of the lessons we can take from Noah's flood experience? What can we take away from this story about desolation, destruction, grace and love?
Noah stood alone for what he believed was right!
Noah had been “God’s man” long before it was cool. When all of his neighbors and friends went about their wicked ways and did what they pleased, Noah honored God. One of the most important lessons we can take from walking along side Noah here is that there will be times when we are called to stand against the tide! And, we all know this can be a very difficult task.
Sometimes the push and pull of the tide can be so strong, it feels as if we will be overwhelmed or overcome by it. There is tremendous pressure for us to conform, to “fit in,” to be just like everybody else. Peer pressure isn’t just something we feel in Middle School or on Twitter. Is it? We all have some of this tension in our lives.
When the tide turns against us, what in the world are we going to do? Will we be able to stand?
We are each called in some area to stand against the tide! To stand out, to be different from the world!
Jesus says it slightly differently, "For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it, but small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life, and only a few find it”. (Matthew 7:13-14 NIV).
To paraphrase: It is easy, a true "no brainer" to follow the wide and trodden path; to follow the pack. Doing what is right and standing for truth will ofttimes put you on a different road which is much narrower, and has fewer travellers.
Whether we are talking about church or home or work, we are the “called out.” We are “called out” from the world for a different purpose!
Paul says in Romans 12:1-2: “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (NIV)
Paul is saying to us that we should not just soak up everything the world sends our way. Stop and examine it. Stop and examine the meaning, the implications, and the importance of things. Learn from them.
Test the truth of it.
Examine for yourself!
This is one of my biggest bugs. People just “wander” around reciting whatever someone else told them. And they say it with such aplomb and conviction, trying to sound like they either understand it thoroughly themselves, or they know it for truth.
It doesn’t matter if a piece of scripture, a rumor about your company closing or who your boss may be sleeping with. Test the truth of things before you pass them on.
We waste so much energy following other people’s rumors and meanderings, living other people's lives, that we cannot attend to creating and being our own best selves!
Know who you are and what you stand for.
Transform your mind!
[continued...]
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