I have to be honest with you, I am not a big fan of common Christianity (I believe this is an oxymoron). We say we worship the God who not only created the earth, our solar system, our galaxy, and our universe, but also exists outside of them as an uncreated creative genius. Oh and that is just the beginning. So if this God we serve has no limits, is able to do far more than any of us could ever think or even imagine, then why do we sometimes walk around dragging our rear ends, as if we were helpless against the onslaught of apathy, depression, and crazy debauchery all around us ? I think this is a good question. I have been asking this question of myself, asking that God would give me faith that sees Him instead of the obstacles. It’s as if the common Christian life is expecting God to be good but not THAT good. We expect God to do miracles, but MANAGEABLE miracles. It’s as if we are waiting for this evil age to be done so we can just move on to heaven (that is a whole other story). Is fear and retreat the best that God has for his people?
One of my favorite faith stories is Noah. I am sure you remember him from your Sunday school days. He didn’t cower in fear when God laid out a really unusual and humiliating plan for him. He did it, and him and his family were saved. Here are some characteristics that I love about Noah.
1. Noah walked with God: Of all the men on the earth, Noah was the only one considered righteous. This is summed up with the phrase “Noah walked with God.” This is a term of acute intimacy and is shared with Enoch who was literally taken up with God. Can’t get more intimate than that. He loved God and set his heart fully to follow him.
2. Noah obeyed God: It says two times in the text in Genesis that Noah “did ALL that God commanded him.” Noah did not pick and choose his obedience. He heard what God said and he did it. Period. Kind of a strange thing to build an Ark when there is no flood let alone rain, but also fill it with animals. This is really odd.
3. Noah didn’t fear men: I cannot imagine the mocking that Noah must have encountered while building the ark. I am supposing the heckling was incessant. Year after year Noah remembered the command of the Lord and kept at it – building something no one else saw need for.
These are the “days of Noah.” Will we join him in the Hebrews hall of fame or will we sulk off into the night of spiritual impotence? In these days will we hear the clarion call of the Savior to prepare for a flood of souls before there is a flood of judgment? Will we build what God has asked even if it makes no sense and makes us look like complete fools? Will we share God’s desire that “no one perish” by seeing with eyes of faith 10-20-30-50 years ahead to be prepared for all God desires? The pounding of Christ’s heart is for all who are lost. Am I in line with his heart? Do I hear his heart? God help me.