Rebeccah Colleen

So I found a podcast that reads through the Bible in a year and decided that since I’d never read through the whole Bible that it was about time.  I decided this a few days ago and started yesterday so I’m playing catch-up by doing two a day until the 26th of January.  Thus far, I’ve gotten through Genesis 1-10, Matthew 1-4, Psalms 1-4, and Proverbs 1: 1-23.  I have to say that because it is at the beginning of each of these books and they are well read books, I haven’t covered any new ground yet but I have found it really helpful to listen and read along at the same time.  I think it helps me focus a bit more.  I know that it is only day 2 of the proposition and I’m currently unemployed (so I have time to spare), but I’m already pretty excited about this use of my time.

Today, in Genesis, was Noah and flood story.   There was something that I don’t think I’d ever thought about it before (or was reading a different translation).  God tells Noah to build the ark, gather animals, get his family in the boat, and then God closes the door.  It really stuck out to me that while Noah was commanded to work hard to prepare for what God was going to do but ultimately God protected Noah through the ordeal.  Noah had to be obedient in building the ark so that God could close the door to protect Noah, his family, and the animals.  It is another story to reinforce the notion of the push and pull of our relationship with God.  It is all well and fine to say that God is sovereign and the actor but we too have to follow the instructions He gives us.  Without question God could act without us and sometimes in spite of us but as a Christian or in Noah’s case, a man or woman of God, he allows us to be part of His plan.  

Another thing that stuck out to me today was the enormous responsibility that Noah is given.  His obedience is not only a matter of his safety and well-being but that of his family and the animals.  It is easy in a culture such as we live in, in America, that our actions only affect us when in reality, everything we choose, obedient or not, affects numerous others around us.  Even the actions that do not seem to affect others.  As one of my favorite song lyrics says, “We’re only as separate as your little fingers.”  We all have such a great responsibility to others.  It is one way that the immensity of sin becomes so apparent.  The times at which I have been tempted by faiths other than my own, I am always drawn back by the simple and enormous weight of sin and the necessity of grace which I found only in Christ.  So….it’s a good day thus far…he he!