We can only imagine what it must have been like. They were less than ideal accommodations and that’s putting it lightly. Surely the smell was strong, and the lighting was dim. But the noise, the noise is what stands out the most. Roars, barks, yelps, bleats, scratching, clawing, and the like quickly became the new normal that they would have to learn to live with. Then above all of that, the deafening sound of rain pounding on the vessel. Again, these were indeed less than ideal accommodations.
Then the vessel began to move. It was stable, a steadfast craft built for just such an occasion. It was safe and kept its payload secure during this time of great uncertainty. With so many unanswered questions, that is what they longed for most, to be safe, and to be taken care of.
Perhaps the most persistent question in their minds was, “how long?” How long would they drift about with no real destination? How long until the pouring rains ceased to fall? How long could they keep their own wits about them?
Then the rain stopped. Even with all the noise around them there was a certain silence. That silence led to hope. Surely the end of this strange journey was near, and the time was quickly approaching that the door would be opened! But it was not yet to be. Certainly the worst was over, why not just open it up and go back to normal life?
Then one day the vessel lurched to a stop, grounded, no longer at the mercy of the wind and waves. And the door was opened. Things were not the same and it would be a while before normal was normal again. But one thing remained: faith.
The wind, the waves, and the rain were never in control, God was. And when the door opened and Noah and his family exited, they worshiped.
On June 7th, the doors will open. We will come together once again as God’s Family, His Church, bought with the blood of His Son. And although things may not look and feel exactly like they were before, our faith has remained and has brought us back together. And when those doors open, we will worship.
Contributed by Chris Parker, Associate Minister
Originally printed in Peachtree City Church of Christ bulletin May 31, 2020.