Impossible becomes possible one step at a time

Few of us set out to be on the leading edge of world-changing events. Sure, we want our lives to matter, but given the choice between being an agent of global change or raising children and surrounding oneself with grandchildren, most of us would choose the latter.

Yet God gives certain men and women of faith unique assignments that demand living in the spotlight of entrepreneurial leadership with global impact. Noah was one such man.

The scriptures describe Noah as a family man who, with his wife, three sons and daughters-in-law, lived a simple life. Their simple lives were in moral contrast with the surrounding world. The Lord determined to blot out mankind from the earth with a global flood, except for this family and any who would join them. Noah was called by God to exchange his simple way of living for a seemingly impossible task involving a lifetime of work performed before a mocking crowd.

Noah's oversized task was constructing a vessel of tremendous magnitude. As described in the Bible, the ark was a feat of engineering. Plank after plank, day after day this man and his family faithfully labored until the ark reached completion. The impossible becomes possible one obedient step after the other.

Noah never forced anyone else to join his cause. No doubt he had many critics. A man building a cruise ship in the middle of a dessert would be a spectacle. He diligently focused on his God-given tasks despite the jeering from onlookers. Noah shared with any who would listen the reason for this endeavor, never forced any to join his cause and always tolerated anyone's right to disagree. Day after day he lived with the pain and rejection of friend after friend walking away from the vessel of deliverance.

Most of us spend our entire lives searching for significance. In Noah's case, meaning was handed to him. Bringing to completion an overwhelming mission requires daily focused obedience to God's direction. Who knows what other world-changing leaders will emerge from that type of focused, compassionate and simple living?

Rob Hurtgen is a husband, father, minister and writer. You can read more from him at www.robhurtgen.wordpress.com