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Jason.

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Jason is the founder of Ignite Student Ministries, a dynamic ministry igniting youth, young adults and university students to passionately pursue Christ and transform society in high schools, work places and universities around the world.

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Complete Obedience

Jason VanaJason Vana

Photo Credit: Evan Almighty (Universal Pictures)

Noah’s faith amazes me.

At the age of 599 (which I imagine is the equivalent of being 50 years old today), God shows up and tells him to build an ark, gather seven of every animal and prepare for a flood that would wipe out all living beings. He was given the exact dimensions, specific quantities and clear directions on how to build this boat. He was told rough timelines of when he should have the ark completed. He even knew who God would spare and who He would allow to die.

And Noah obeyed.

He set out  gathering supplies, measuring out a building location, recruiting his sons to help him build this massive ark. He measured and cut and lifted and fit pieces together and nailed and glued and remeasured and covered parts in pitch and had to think out where to store food and supplies and, eventually, what to do with the animal droppings.

This was no easy task.

It took Noah roughly a year to build the ark.
It took physical and mental and financial resources.
It took convincing his family, giving his responsibilities to someone else, and focusing completely on the ark.

Every day Noah went out and built.
Every day he poured his blood, sweat and tears into this project.
And every day Noah was pummeled with questions and mocks and jeers.

He was building an ark in his lawn after all.

This wasn’t some nice Sunday school kind of story. He didn’t just get the animals to help him build the boat like some early version of a Disney princess. He didn’t just go about his business unhindered.

Noah was mocked, taunted and ridiculed by those he used to call friends.

He was the subject of gossip and judgement and scorn.
His neighbors would have complained, asked him how he could follow some God who didn’t exist, and tried to talk him out of all his work and into partying with them.

And when he finally finished his building, gathered the animals and entered the ark, it was a full seven days before the flood started.

Seven days to question.
Seven days to doubt.
Seven days to wonder if he heard God right.
Seven days of asking God when He would prove the mockers wrong.

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

In the midst of the mocking and taunting and jeering, in the midst of the doubts and fears, in the midst of the back breaking work, Noah obeyed.

He pushed through the persecution.
Worked through the pain.
Did everything God commanded him to do.

And saved the human race from extinction.

Because complete obedience to God no only affects you, but everyone around you.

How could your obedience be a blessing to others, even if it is mocked?

 

Jason is the founder of Ignite Student Ministries, a dynamic ministry igniting youth, young adults and university students to passionately pursue Christ and transform society in high schools, work places and universities around the world.