The Ark took time

“Noah did everything just as God commanded him.” Genesis 6:22

This week I got the chance to visit the Ark encounter in Kentucky. It was monolithic and amazing. It was an experience my mom and I have wanted to share since it was built. I loved making that memory with her.

Two things came to mind when I walked around the Ark. First was that there was such care and detail in every space. And second was that all Christians have the capacity to make a mark for God’s kingdom. Ordinary people doing what God called them to do with the gifts He has bestowed are a force to be reckoned with.

The Ark, a floating zoo, aviary, library, woodworking and blacksmithing center, greenhouse and home, is proof that God with all our needs will be met as we follow His leading. God showed Noah each necessary detail, and Noah brought it to fruition.

I was awed as I enjoyed the engineering and building skills represented in the Ark. As a country woman who enjoys caring for animals, the detail of water and food storage and distribution was so well planned out. The Ark wasn’t some huge vessel with animals milling about willy nilly. They were documented and kept in appropriate cages outfitted with waste removal systems.

I got to thinking about how Noah built such boat and maintained it for over a year with just the help of seven other people. Then I thought about Christians doing other things that seem “impossible” for me like working in the medical field, running huge corporations, doing foreign missions, doing underwater welding, and most intimidating being law enforcement officers.

As I thought about these impressive skills God encouraged me reminding me that the skills that I have aren’t just innate either. The ability to love and care for young people and to love education and desire to help young ones learn is a skillset too. My sister would sometimes tell me, “I couldn’t be a teacher”. Now that I think of that, I appreciate how she was telling me I had a valuable skill set just like she does for the medical field.

I think about Jesus and the amazing ministry He had. I think of people from the Bible who did many well-known things and sometimes lose some of my sparkle because what I do seems so small each day. But looking at the Ark and remembering that it took perhaps 75 years to build gave my heart peace. Life is not a sprint but a long-lasting marathon. Our ministry won’t be, say, two years of doing spectacular, giant things and then it’s a wrap but rather a lifetime of doing many, many small, kind, and noble things with love, joy, constancy, patience, kindness, and integrity.

With the skills God has given me, like Noah, I want it to be said: Judith did all that the Lord commanded her. And whether that garners the attention of the town or the world it matters not, because God sees it all.

“But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.” Genesis 6:8