Surviving the Flood
Drip. Drip. Drip.
The phone ran on Friday.
Ugh.
I knew it was bad news. Upon answering, I learned the unfortunate news, my office had water damage. Long story short, the upstairs water fountain had malfunctioned, and caused a steady stream of water to cascade down for at least 24 hours. Upon hearing the news, I thought to myself, “Should I come? Should I wear my rain jacket instead of my sports jacket for Sunday services? After it was explained to me that there was nothing I could do, I decided to wait and see for myself.
As I peaked in before church on Sunday morning, my eyes could not believe what they saw. My desk was ruined, as well as most of my books on it. The desk was now moved into the middle of my office. Then, I looked at the wall behind my desk, and the bottom portion was gone. Yes, nothing but studs. Everything on the back wall had been taken down - calendars, diplomas, and decorative signs. My office was not the same as it had been a mere 72 hours ago.
As I walked down the hallways, I saw fans pointing in either direction - my office and the nursery beside my office - all with fans angled in the perfect position to eliminate mildew and dry out the carpet. Though, I admit, I didn’t want to, next I walked up the steps to the main floor - the epicenter of the water leak. I saw water damage their too. The hallway carpet was gone. Fans galore. I wanted to crawl in a hole. (But, then I thought, the hole might be wet too, so I decided not to)
Fortunately, the leak had been caught on Friday morning. A flood damage company had been called in - Servepro - (you know the commercials… “like it never even happened) yes, our heroes. Everywhere you looked you could tell professionals had been at work. By the middle of the next week, all signs of water were gone. Now, in time, the church would be rebuilt - new carpet, new siding, and at least 2 new walls.
Water is a needed resource to humanity to survive. But, water can serve as a judgmental element much to our chagrin. In Genesis 6-8, in the midst of increasing corruption upon the earth, God sent rain to flood the earth - wiping everything (and everyone) away but Noah and his family. For “40 days and 40 nights” (Genesis 7:14) the rains came down. If water is a necessary component of life, they certainly had it in its fullest. The waters, as deep as they may have been, were a sign of ultimate judgment. But, in most of the other instances in Scripture, water has always been a sign of new life, new beginnings, and new direction. In short, water reminds of 3 truths:
1. God will rescue you. Psalm 69:15 encourages, “Let not the floodwater overflow me, Nor let the deep swallow me up,” God’s saving work with Noah and his family serves as an example that no matter how dark or bleak the situation appears, God will never leave you. If we can’t grab the life preserver thrown out at us, He’ll grab it for us!
2. God will preserve you. Psalm 98:8 clarifies, "Let the river clap their hands; Let the hills be joyful together before the Lord." God has and will never leave us. He reigns from on high seeing everything which takes place. Psalm 29:10 reads, “The Lord saw enthroned at the Flood, and the Lord sits as King forever.” If God sat on His throne at Noah’s flood overseeing every detail, He’s reign from Heaven and see you through every hurt and pain too!
3. God will use you. The psalmist sings, “The floods have lifted up, O Lord, The floods have lifted up their voice, The floods have lifted up their voice; The floods lift up their waves.” No matter the disaster the “floods” intent, rest in faith and trust God will use even the smallest detail to share Christ with those who are around you.
Why is God able to do this? Because He reigns. He always has, is, and always will preside over heavenly and earthly events. Even in our bleakest, darkest, and most disheartening times, the Lord will still reigns from Heaven. As we learn from God and are able to discern some of His mighty works, be rested and refreshed. The very same God who created the waters is the same God who will lead you through the waters. Even in Noah’s Flood, He was still God. He’s the God over dry land…and yes, He’s the God over the wet land - even in the pastor’s wet office!