Archaeologists estimate that there were approximately one million people living on the earth at the time of the great flood.  A million people! How is it possible that there was only one who could be trusted to do what God asked? Noah must have had some very special qualities to stand out as one in a million. So why did God choose Noah?  Today, are going to look at some of the characteristics that Noah had and examine our own hearts to see if we are also people God can use.

Noah was available. When building the kingdom, our attitude is more important than our aptitude. Noah didn’t use his aptitude or his human abilities as an excuse, thinking God could never use him. Instead, he made himself available to be used by God, in ways he wouldn’t have imagined for himself. Looking back over your Christian journey, there have probably been things God has had you do or say that were a bit out of your regular routine.

To follow His plan for your life, you had to make yourself available and be willing to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. If you will be available and stop focusing on what you can’t do, you will see the amazing things God is able to do through you.

Noah dared to be different. Genesis 6:9 says, “Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time and he walked with God.” At a time when the world was filled with corruption, violence and immorality, Noah stood his ground and didn’t give into the influences all around him.  He stood out in the crowd and probably faced ridicule for being different from everyone else.  He was willing to “rock the boat.”

Noah followed God completely. He did everything the Lord commanded him. Obedience is just another word for faith. And faith is following God’s instructions even when it doesn’t make sense.  Noah was at least 500 miles from the largest body of water – the Mediterranean Ocean and it had never rained on the earth. How was he supposed to round up all those animals? You must admit, Noah would have had a lot of questions. Even with the full blueprint for the Ark in hand, it must have seemed impossible, but Noah obeyed.

Noah didn’t give up. We live in a time when we want what we want, and we want it now! If something takes too long, we lose patience and move on to something else. We don’t even like to wait very long for a table at a restaurant. And surely if God is going to use us in His grand plan, He’ll make it quick and easy. Right?! Nope. God decided to flood the world and then waited 120 years for Noah to finish building the ark.

God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things.  Regardless of the mistakes we’ve made, fears that we’ve allowed to detour us, and all the times we’ve come up short, God still has a purpose for our lives. So be available to His leading, dare to be different from the crowd, listen to God’s directions and follow where He leads, and if it takes a while, hang in there. You have a purpose!

Scriptures: Hebrews 11:7, Genesis 6:5-8, Ephesians 1:11-12 (Msg), Genesis 6:9 & 22, Genesis 4:5, Genesis 6:3, Colossians 1:16 (Msg).

Verses:  For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels- everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him.  -Colossians 1:16 (Message)

Questions:   Do you believe God has a plan and purpose for your life? Are you willing to make yourself available to whatever He may ask of you?  What if it’s difficult or takes a long time? Will you stick with the plan and see it to its finish?

Prayer: God, Thank you for having a purpose for my life. Help me to be available and willing to follow where you lead me even if it doesn’t seem logic or quick. I want to be faithful to your call, because you are so faithful to me. In Jesus’ Name, amen.