Committed to the Crazy
Genesis 6:1-5
Title: Embracing the Crazy: Faith in the Face of the Impossible
In a world that often prioritizes logic, reason, and practicality, the story of Noah building an ark in the desert stands as a testament to unwavering faith and obedience. This ancient tale, far from being a simple children's story, carries profound implications for how we approach our spiritual lives today.
Imagine for a moment the sheer absurdity of Noah's task. God called him to build a massive boat in a place where rain was scarce. Not just any boat, but one large enough to house pairs of every animal species. And Noah didn't just commit to this project for a few weeks or months – he dedicated 100 years of his life to this seemingly impossible endeavor.
The skepticism and mockery Noah must have faced are easy to imagine. Year after year, decade after decade, his neighbors would have questioned his sanity. "Noah, still building that boat? We haven't seen rain in 35 years!" Yet Noah persevered, committed to what God had called him to do, even when it appeared crazy to everyone else.
This commitment to the "crazy" is a theme that runs throughout scripture and the history of faith. It challenges us to consider: what seemingly impossible tasks might God be calling us to today? What acts of obedience might look foolish to the world but are actually aligned with God's greater purpose?
The story of Noah reminds us that God's ways often defy human logic. The flood wasn't just about judgment; it was about new creation. After the waters receded, we see echoes of the original creation story – the separation of waters, light piercing through, vegetation sprouting anew. God was doing something radical and new, using what appeared to be destruction as a means of recreation.
This pattern of God using the seemingly foolish to confound the wise is a recurring theme in scripture. The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians about how the message of the cross appears as foolishness to those who are perishing, but to those being saved, it is the power of God. He goes on to say that God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and the weak things to shame the strong.
Jesus himself often taught in ways that seemed counterintuitive or even crazy to his listeners. "Blessed are the poor in spirit," he said. "Sell your possessions and give to the poor." "The last shall be first, and the first shall be last." These teachings fly in the face of conventional wisdom, challenging us to see the world through God's eyes rather than our own limited perspective.
Consider some of Jesus' most radical teachings:
Loving your enemies and praying for those who persecute you
Forgiving not just seven times, but seventy times seven
Becoming like a child to enter the kingdom of heaven
Losing your life to save it
These concepts don't make sense from a worldly standpoint. They require a radical shift in thinking, a willingness to embrace what looks foolish in order to align ourselves with God's kingdom values.
The challenge for us today is to allow these "crazy" teachings to become our new normal. As we grow in our faith, the words of Christ shouldn't continue to shock us – they should become the standard by which we live, bringing life, joy, and peace.
This commitment to faith-filled obedience isn't just about individual actions. Throughout history, we see examples of communities and churches embracing seemingly crazy ideas that led to powerful ministry and transformation. Whether it's starting new services in different languages, launching outreach programs that seemed financially impossible, or planting churches in challenging areas – these acts of faith often look foolish at first but bear incredible fruit over time.
The key is remembering that our obedience isn't based on our own strength or wisdom, but on God's faithfulness. Noah didn't save himself or his family through his own efforts. God provided the plan, the timing, and ultimately the salvation. Noah's role was simply to trust and obey, even when it didn't make sense.
This truth should both challenge and encourage us. On one hand, God may be calling us to step out in faith in ways that seem risky or foolish. It might mean forgiving someone who has deeply hurt us, giving generously even when our finances are tight, or speaking truth in love even when it might cost us relationships or status. These acts of obedience can feel crazy in the moment.
On the other hand, we can take comfort in knowing that our salvation and God's work in the world don't ultimately depend on our perfect performance. Like Noah, we are saved by grace through faith. Our role is to trust God and step out in obedience, even when we can't see the end result.
As we reflect on our own lives, it's worth considering:
What "crazy" commands of Jesus am I struggling to obey right now?
Is there a step of faith God is asking me to take that might look foolish to others?
Where in my life am I tempted to give up before seeing God's promises fulfilled?
The story of Noah reminds us that faith often looks crazy to the outside world. But it also teaches us that God is faithful to complete what He starts. He never goes back on His promises, whether to Noah or to us today.
In a world that often prioritizes comfort, security, and conventional wisdom, may we have the courage to embrace the "crazy" when God calls us to it. May we build our arks in the desert, love our enemies, forgive the unforgivable, and give generously even when it doesn't make sense. For it's often in these moments of radical obedience that we see God's power most clearly displayed, confounding the wisdom of the world and bringing about His purposes in ways we never could have imagined.