Messy Lives

Life can sure get messy. Have you read the story of Noah lately? Did you know that Noah lived on the ark for almost a year with only 7 other people and pairs of every animal, large and small, and birds? Noah was chosen by God for this mission because he was the only blameless man on the face of the earth and he walked in close fellowship with God. I can still remember Bill Cosby’s rendition of Noah. He had it down as to Noah’s reaction to this impossible task. When it rained for 40 days and 40 nights, Noah didn’t even know what rain was. Think about the details of caring for everyone during that year! How do you keep the peace between everyone, in addition to feeding, cleaning, and caring for the sick ones – on a small boat!? It is mind boggling…and messy! Nevertheless, Noah obeyed the Lord’s commands and all on the ark were protected during that tremendous storm and eventually walked onto dry land. I am sure there were times when Noah wondered what he had gotten himself into. However, God was faithful to Noah and in Genesis 9:12-15 (NLT) He gave Noah this promise:

“I am giving you a sign of my covenant with you and with all living creatures, for all generations to come. I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my covenant with you and with all the earth. When I send clouds over the earth, the rainbow will appear in the clouds, and I will remember my covenant with you and with all living creatures. Never again will the floodwaters destroy all life.”

Sometimes the path we are on is messy and obscured with rocks, weeds, and debris. It might be cloudy and hard to see. Boulders may even roll down and block our way. I have had many cloudy days lately and know that without the loving support of my Saviour, the storms of life would have taken me down. But, God placed the colorful rainbow in the sky as a reminder of His love for all of us and with it His promise to never destroy all of life. I love looking at the beautiful clouds in our Arizona skies. And, when I do, I know that I am looking up at the face of Him who is leading me each step of the way…the One that brings color and light into my darkness. Thank you, Lord.