Life Lessons: Differences (Noah)

Reading: Genesis 6:1-8

“But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.”  Wow, what a statement in the midst of such a sad passage. We are called to be different from the world and that can be such a challenge but we are still to live for the Lord’s favor not man’s approval. 

If we live this Christian life as we are called to it and not just in a cultural, churchy sense, we are going to be the weirdos. We won’t fit in and others will look at us strangely which is as it should be. Romans 12:2 commands us not to be “conformed to this world” and for good reason. We are called to be the light of God on Earth and to represent His name well just as we would want to represent our earthly family name well. The way we live life should look different than the lost because our very lives should be different than before we came to know the Father. Our hope, alone, should have us functioning in a different spirit. 

We are also reminded that because we are not of the world, the world will hate us and boy, is that true (John 15:19). It seems to be a fact that is becoming inescapable in our world. The life we have been called to is not an easy one which we are reminded of throughout scripture but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t worth it. Think of all Noah had to endure before the first drop of rain fell and remember, we have hindsight. He was building and working in faith which can feel frustrating and foolish, if we’re honest. Do the work anyway because God has called you to it. No where in the Bible have I seen a call to understand the thoughts of God. However, I've seen many calls to be obedient to the will of God. So let us approach this life with the goal to look different even when we don’t understand where that will lead us at the moment but having faith that we will be ready for that first raindrop. 

Today’s Prayer

Father, if I’m honest, sometimes I hate that I’ve been called to be different. It makes life hard and I often feel like I’m missing out but I also know that Your law and love expand beyond anything I can understand and I want to represent You to the world around me in every way possible. Please give me the courage and peace to pursue Your glory.