March 15, 2021

March 15, 2021

Sharing from the congregation – David Petty

At the end of forty days Noah opened the window of the ark that he had made and sent out the raven, and it went to and fro until the waters were dried up from the earth. Then he sent out the dove...He waited another seven days and again set out the dove...Then he waited another seven days and again he sent out the dove. —Genesis 8:6-8,10,12

And you thought you had it bad being cooped up due to the virus.  At least you weren’t stuck on a boat with every kind of critter.

Noah had two great virtues: the faith to build the ark in the face of ridicule, and the patience to survive the time in the ark.  First he had to wait 40 days for the rain to stop, then 150 days for the water to start going down, then a while for the raven to stop flying, then — you get the picture.  And let’s not forget the patience of his wife and family on this critter cruise.

In the Bible patience is not just a worthy trait; it’s a recurring theme.  There’s the patience of Abraham and Sarah who waited until their old age to have their promised heir; Jacob who worked for 14 years to marry Rachel; Ezekiel who lay on his side for months; Zechariah who experienced nine mute months waiting for his son John to be born; the early Christians waiting for the day of Pentecost.  I could give many more examples, but you’d probably become impatient with me.

The details of our current problems are unique, with the consequence that the details of the solutions must be unique, but I think that on a spiritual level they are not.  The Bible suggests that situations that need endurance and patience are not just possible; they are to be expected. 

So it makes sense to learn from those who have gone before us.  Their response to comparable situations may tell us how to act or how not to act.  I said that Noah had two great virtues, but that’s not quite true, is it?  Truthfully, it might be just one virtue, for patience is an outgrowth of faith.  If we truly believe that great things are coming, it’s worth the wait.  But patience doesn’t always mean waiting idly.  Sometimes we are called to do what we can in the meantime.  

Gracefully submitted,
David Petty