Noah's Ark
Remember the story of Noah’s ark? What if we can learn everything we need to know about how to manage through a crisis from Noah? With a global flood on the horizon, the bible provides very specific instructions: “Make an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out. The ark is to be three hundred cubits long, fifty cubits wide and thirty cubits high. Make a roof for it…make lower, middle and upper decks.” I just finished home renovations — those are not simple tasks.
There’s more:
”Everything on earth will perish. But I will establish my covenant with you, and you will enter the ark — you and your sons and your wife and your sons’ wives with you. Two of every kind of bird, of every kind of animal, and of every kind of creature that moves along the ground will come to you to be kept alive. You are to take every kind of food that is to be eaten and store it away as food for you and for them…”
Each of us faces crises that call us to be heroes — although they may not be the magnitude of the challenge Noah faced. I’m in the midst of one now that seems overwhelming. I’m curious about lessons I can learn from the story of Noah’s Ark.
Stay fit. When you're 600 years old you may be asked to do something huge. (Noah’s age makes me feel young and energetic!)
Plan ahead. (It wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark.)
Have a good plan and build your future on high ground.
Don't listen to critics; get the job done. (The ark was built by an amateur; the Titanic by professionals.)
Don’t miss the boat. (When life-saving opportunities arise, take them.)
Speed isn't always an advantage. (The snails came aboard with the cheetahs.)
When you feel stressed, float a while.
Remember we’re all in the same boat.
No matter how big the storm, there's likely to be a rainbow.
Celebrate with gratitude when the waters recede.
Crises arise without our bidding. Although this analogy is lighthearted, it offers wise and supportive messages to help us through distressing times.
If nothing more, it offers a smile while strengthening an intention to succeed.
Source: Genesis chapters 6-9