Monday, 3/6And God said to Noah, ‘I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence because of them; now I am going to destroy them along with the earth. Make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch. But I will establish my covenant with you; and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you. And of every living thing, of all flesh, you shall bring two of every kind into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female. Of the birds according to their kinds, and of the animals according to their kinds, of every
creeping thing of the ground according to its kind, two of every kind shall come in to you, to keep them alive. Also take with you every kind of food that is eaten, and store it up; and it shall serve as food for you and for them.’ Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him. Noah.... the story every child knows. But there are more questions than answers in this reading. One that has always puzzled me is what Noah’s occupation was before the flood. Some speculate that he could have been what we now know as a veterinarian, seeing as how he needed to keep all of the animals safe and healthy. Or maybe he was a grape grower as he was after the flood. Either way, it’s fairly certain that he was not a shipbuilder or master carpenter. But he answered God’s call, did what he was asked to do, and helped preserve the continuation of all humanity. Many years ago, when I first started teaching Children’s Ministries here at Christ Church Greenwich, I was conducting my pre-school service in the Family Room and there were parents in attendance with their children. It was quite a lively and engaged service with the kids, and, as we were walking out, a parent came up to me and said, “Wow, you are really, really good with the kids, where do you teach Kindergarten?” I explained that I was not a teacher during the week, so he asked me what I did, and I told him I was an electrician. He laughed, fairly heartily, with a big grin and said, “No, really, what do you do?” Again I assured him I was not kidding, and he replied, “That’s amazing.” I explained that being an electrician was my “job” but teaching the children’s program was my “ministry”. He immediately understood and thanked me for what I do. God calls us all in different ways, and at different times in our lives to further his kingdom on earth, whether it’s building a huge boat, or ministering to the littlest of his flock. We just need to all be ready and open when that call comes. - Gregg Gregory Today's |