How To Float When It Floods

Life floods.  But how do you 'float.' rather than floundering, even drowning?

The ultimate 'flood story,' Noah's story (as in, Noah and the Ark) shows the way.

Don't Panic!

I’ve always been amazed by the composure of Noah.  Why the most mammoth, threatening flood -- ever -- comes his way, and Noah responds with poise, dignity, and confidence.  

“[And] the floodwaters came on the earth.  And Noah and his sons and his wife and his son’s wives entered the ark…”   (Genesis 7:6)

Notice the text does not say: Noah ran into the ark – or scrambled into the ark – or sprinted into the ark.  The text says:  Noah entered the ark.  

When floodwaters come, how do you approach the ark; do you calmly head for safety, or press the panic button?

Growing up, I attended grade school at Lincolnshire Elementary School.  Many moments stand out:   the smell of mimeograph hand-out sheets -- PTA fun nights – and monthly fire drills.  Why every 30 days, all of Lincolnshire  School would practice handling an emergency.  The procedure was always the same:  walk, don’t run…hold hands…and follow the leader.

Not bad advice, in any emergency.   Walk, don’t run.  Hold hands.  And follow the leader.  For nothing is gained by going berserk.  But everything is gained by getting a grip: modeling poise, togetherness, and obedience.

Affirm:  There's Always 'Plan B'

Though often overlooked in the Noah story, Noah's Ark was not the ideal craft to navigate a massive, stormy sea.  Five times longer than the Mayflower, it resembled more of a floating house, than a floating boat.  On top of that: it had no rudder, no sail,  no crew – and a bunch of smelly animals.  

Yet God utilized this crazy craft for great things.  God often uses crazy things for great things.   Even if plan A (the ideal) is not available – plan B often opens up as a viable alternative.   

One of the great adventures of all time was the Lewis and Clark Expedition.   Mandated by Thomas Jefferson it appeared to be a straightforward feat:  up the Missouri – over the Rockies – and down a westerly river -- to the Pacific.  But it didn’t happen that way.  Instead, Lewis and Clark struggled down the Missouri, fighting rapids; wandered in the Rockies, searching for a passageway.  And found no westerly river.  And so they found themselves in an unexpected place: the Lolo Trail; for months they found themselves on the Lolo Trail.  But then it happened: they found the Snake River, that led to the Columbia River, that led to the Pacific Ocean.

Where are you perplexed on your 'expedition'; where are you struggling – wandering – searching?   There’s always the Lolo Trail! There’s always Plan B.  It’s unexpected.  It’s untested.  It’s not ideal.  But it will take you to your destination.  

Don't Obsess On What's Beyond Reach.  

Translated:  when crisis comes:  control what you can control.  Don’t obsess on what’s beyond reach.  Focus on what can be managed and influenced.

Take old Noah.  It served little purpose for him to try to manage the weather; try as he may, it was going to rain for 40 days and 40 nights.  But he could manage the animals.  He could manage his family.  He could manage his attitude.

Where are you trying to manage the 'weather'?   Stop wasting energy on things you cannot change.  Rather expend energy, on things which can still turn the tide.   

Let God (And Others) Lift You!

I love the image at the heart of the Noah Story. And so for forty days and forty nights the flood kept coming and coming on the earth.  And the water kept rising and rising.   But as it did - Genesis 7:17 notes – the ark was lifted high above the earth.   High above destruction.  High above decimation.  High above despair.   

That’s what God ultimately does in tough times:  he lifts and loves.  Psalm 40, sings such truth.  

“I waited patiently for the Lord. He turned to me and heard my cry.  He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out the mud and mire.  He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.  He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God…[Thus] I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly.  I do not seal my lips…[Rather] I speak of your faithfulness [O God] and [your] salvation…”  (Psalm 40:1-3;9-10)    

Do sense such sentiment; do you feel lifted?

Norman Vaughn was a remarkable man.  Best known as Admiral Byrd’s companion on the 1928 expedition to Antarctica, Vaughn was famous for continually dreaming dreams.  In fact, at 89 he returned to Antarctica, climbing the 10,000-foot mountain named in his honor: Mount Vaughn.  Right afterward, Vaughn and a circle of friends made a bold announcement.  On the occasion of Vaughn's 100th birthday, Vaughn would again return to the summit of the mountain named in his honor.  But how:  why "...sitting on a specially designed sled, six guides using a pulley system will haul [Norman] to the top of Mount Vaughan on December 19, 2005...[and then]...Norman will have his first drink [ever] of Champagne at the top!..." http://www.normanvaughan.com/mission.html

Well, a lack of funding, prevented Norman and his team from lifting Norman to the top of his mountain, once again.  But the vision of that heroic effort lingers -- inspiring us, nevertheless.  For it illustrates how we are truly lifted, in spite of infirmity: ultimately, through the grace of God -- but practically -- through the help and the assistance of a team of friends.

The story of Lazarus illustrates such truth.  In the wake of Lazurus' sinking, dead plight, God does the 'heavy lifting,' raising Lazarus out of his dilemma. But Lazarus' liberation is not complete until Lazarus' friends assist with the Lazarus' new platform and posture.

"Then [Jesus] shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” And he came out, a cadaver, wrapped from head to toe, and with a kerchief over his face.   Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him loose.”  (John 11:43-44, The Message)

God operates in similar a manner today.  In the midst of our sinking, dead plight, God does His part, performing the 'heavy-lifting.'  But the liberation is not complete until we unwrap each other, and finish the 'loosening.'

So in sinking, dead scenarios, look to God -- but also -- participate in the task of finishing the loosening.

For God does want to lift us.  God does want to set our feet on a rock.  God does want to give us a firm place to stand.   But God needs our lifting, loosening hands, as well -- along with our willingness -- to receive loosening assistance -- from others.

That's how you float when it floods.  That's how you rise, in spite of the intense punch and gravity of life.