“Then God said to Noah, “Go out from the ark, you and your wife, and your sons and your sons’ wives with you … So Noah went out, and his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives with him. Every beast, every creeping thing, and every bird, everything that moves on the earth, went out by families from the ark.” (Genesis 8:15–16, 18-19, ESV)
Then God said to Noah, “Go out from the ark, you and your wife, and your sons and your sons’ wives with you … So Noah went out. Are you waiting for your release? I know, as of this writing, I am. We wait for God with great expectancy. Is this the day? Is this the connection that brings about God’s plan? Is this the moment?
Often, as has been my experience and yours, God doesn’t ride up on a gallant steed, slay the enemies at our feet and pronounce with a bellowing and authoritative voice: “You are free!”
No, more often than not, we step into our release slowly, with baby steps of faith. Choosing one thing and then another, by faith. As we trust God at His word, life grows steadily into His plan … and thus, our release. He works through His words to produce His will in our lives.
For Noah, the days melted into weeks, the weeks into months, the months into almost a year … and, then, in an instant, it was over. The confinement inside the ark – the rescue boat – was over and everyone was set free. Release was bright, it was fresh, it was … well, strange.
From the confines of that wooden ship to the endless, boundless lands before them … can you imagine the flood of emotions and the rush of adrenaline? What to do first? What did they hope to see? Accomplish? Touch? Taste?
God is working to release you. Your confinement now may be completely for your protection from the storms He is sending all around you. Step back. Pay attention. Be thankful. The day of our release is set on God’s calendar as assuredly as this day is on our the screen on our device. It will come! Be patient.
In the meanwhile, know that God is working, about to release you. Get excited. Tell people it’s coming. Show the emotion on your face and let it infiltrate your voice. THAT is what is called faith!
Turn-Around Tuesdays are designed to bring hope and help, insight and encouragement to those of us who are simply overwhelmed by the flood of problems life throws at us. No one is immune to trials and troubles, but God has a way of lifting us from life’s torrents. Each short thought is written by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, Executive Director of Eagles In Leadership, and comes from his life-journey with the God who never leaves us or forsakes us. He welcomes your comments below.
