We've all been overwhelmed at one time or another in our lives. Whether from homework or coursework that needed to get done, or deadlines at work, or projects at church or home, we've all had a time when the pile in front of us just seemed over our head. The theme of this blog is that life can get you down, but God can bring you up - so we want to look at the 'lemons' of life and see what our response needs to be to them.
For the first lemon of overwhelming circumstances we will look to Noah. The world was corrupt before the eyes of God, and God told Noah that He would destroy all living things on the earth, but would spare Noah and his family. All Noah had to do was to build an ark 1 1/2 football fields long, about 1/2 a football field wide, and taller than the goalposts (since I started with a football length). During that time (about 100 years of building), Noah would have opportunity to testify about what God was about to do and yet we do not read of one repentant heart among the people on earth. Noah's father, Lamech, and his grandfather, Methuselah, were both alive during the time of building the ark, besides siblings, cousins, and extended family. Noah had a huge task, had no apparent support (outside of his immediate family), and was facing the prospect of starting over. Rebuilding his home, starting with no friends, on a new world. Even the prospect for hunting would be limited immediately after the flood. Good thing Noah didn't crave venison on the ark.
Since Noah was faced with pretty overwhelming circumstances, we can learn from his responses. I want to group what Noah did into two short phrase. Build a boat. Stay afloat.
Easy to remember, I hope, but you may look and say "What good will it do for me to build a boat? I already have too much to do and I don't have to survive a global flood." Which would be an excellent point. You see, God commanded Noah to build a boat. Noah took his overwhelming circumstances and simply obeyed God. That we all can do. So when you remind yourself to build a boat, I want you to stop and think of the things God has commanded you to do. Some of the answers may seem counter-intuitive. Like, I have too much to do already, yet God wants me to show mercy to those in need and He brings someone in need my way. Build a boat. Don't neglect the things that you know God has given you to do. But certainly, don't cut things out in your life that God has given for support and blessing. Don't neglect getting together with believers, Bible reading & memory, or prayer. Don't neglect your care of those who truly need it. And don't take shortcuts that are not ethical. God knows what you are faced with and His design will always work out the best way.
The second part is to stay afloat. I'm hoping that you say "Well that is easier said than done!," because the truth is that Noah had no control over his ability to stay afloat. Any spots he forgot to seal, any weak points in his vessel, any shortages of food or water, any problems he might encounter were beyond his ability to resolve once the flood came. You see, when you hear "Stay afloat," I want you to think about trusting God. Building a boat - do all that you know God has given you to do, but then stay afloat - trust that God will keep up His end of the bargain. He has promised to never leave or forsake His children. He has promised to supply all the needs of His children. He has promised to work all circumstances together for the good of them that love Him. Just trust.
Build a boat. Stay afloat. Obey God, and trust Him. It will get you through any overwhelming situations that you face. Keep looking up! He is able!
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