Boat Boarding

I've struggled this week with persevering because I didn't see God moving the way I wanted Him to. It's much easier to say I'll persevere  and to believe, like Peter, that I will have enough faith. But living this side of heaven is so hard. I can be driving down the road worshipping God with my whole heart as if I'm leading a choir of angels, then someone cuts me off and just like that a cuss word pops right into my head. How quickly our thoughts can change! Lord take them captive!

As I was reading in Genesis this morning about Noah, a story I've likely heard a thousand times in my life, I asked God for a new perspective. I think most of us assume we'd be Noah in the story, at the very least maybe one of his daughter-in-laws, but every time I assume I'd make it on that boat. Living in this world, with all of its brokenness, hate, self-entitlement, lack of grace, for even ourselves; Satan certainly has the home team advantage. If I really look at all of my thoughts, my sins, how quickly I can give up some days and think "If I can't beat them, join them!" I have to ask myself, do I actually make it on the boat?

I can't imagine a stronger sense of the word hope than when I think about the first drops of rain that started the flood, the last of the animals climbing aboard the ramp, and me, running to join Noah and his family, praying they don't leave me to drown. 1 John 3:1-3 says,

What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we’re called children of God! That’s who we really are. But that’s also why the world doesn’t recognize us or take us seriously, because it has no idea who he is or what he’s up to.

But friends, that’s exactly who we are: children of God. And that’s only the beginning. Who knows how we’ll end up! What we know is that when Christ is openly revealed, we’ll see him—and in seeing him, become like him. All of us who look forward to his Coming stay ready, with the glistening purity of Jesus’ life as a model for our own.

 

I've pouted like a spoiled child the last few days because I'm impatient waiting on God, because I don't trust Him as much as I'd like to believe that I do, because I'm human, because my flesh fails daily. But the great news is that God already knows that. He made me and He gave His only son in death so that as that rain comes down, Jesus is the ramp and if I run to it, never stopping, no matter how the rain beats against me, if I stumble, if someone tries to stop me. If I run to that deep, abiding, grace-filled, abundantly merciful, lavish love, Praise God, I will be on that boat!

 

Today is a new day so let us take up our crosses and press on-we have a boat to board!