COVID-19 became synonymous with crisis. Words such as lockdown, quarantine, and vaccine became the most used words of the season. I welcome you to this lesson from an Ancient Man Who Survived the Greatest and Longest Quarantine / Lockdown Ever. I hope it gets you ready to handle your next crisis better.
If another year-long TOTAL lockdown is declared, fir whichever reason, what manner of preparations would you need to make? How would you survive? How about your family? Would your work still matter? How about your brand-new car, latest designer suit, the big title at the office, your most expensive dress, the big chunks of land, and your Masters Degree? Would these things still matter as you make preparations?
Well, have you ever wondered what kind of preparations the Biblical Noah made regarding food, mental readiness, etc. so that him and his family would survive over a year in quarantine (the ark)?
Let us make reference to the Book of Genesis for some hints and learn from the Greatest lockdown in the history of the world:
(1) FOOD SECURITY:
Concerning food, we are told that Noah brought into the boat ” every kind of food … for [him and his family] and for the animals.” (Gen.6:21). EVERY KIND. That’s awesomely huge and diverse. Balanced diet still mattered to him even during a crisis. How about YOU? What can you start to do in preparation?
(2) MENTAL READINESS:
(A) Personal Goodness: He “pleased the Lord” (6:8) and was “a good man all his life” (6:9; 7:1). This is critical to survival of prolonged crises. Since God was making a “special agreement” with him and his wife and sons plus daughters-in-law (6:18), I believe that he was mentally PREPARED and psychologically MOTIVATED to “build a boat” (6:14). When you’re sure God is watching your back, your mind is at rest. This is a key to stress-free quarantines!
(B) Divine Obedience: He “did everything the Lord told him” (6:22; 7:5). He had complete trust in God. So he followed instructions to the dot, with a peace of mind.
(C) Family Safety: His dear wife, his three sons, plus his three daughters-in-law — generally his whole family — were safe. Family security brings peace of mind. How safe is your family when crisis hits? What can you immediately do to boost your family’s security (shelter, food, finances, etc.)?
Tip: You need personal goodness that pleases God, divine obedience that makes you follow instructions, and commonsense to secure your family.
(3) MANAGEMENT ACUMEN:
What baffles me is the kind of management skills that Noah required not only to get the right materials for building the ark (6:14) but also:
🔅 Accuracy with measurements (6:15)
🔅 The precision required to make decks/floors/storeys in the ark (6:16)
🔅 The wisdom to believe what he didn’t understand – rain/flood (6:17) since there hadn’t been rain on the earth before that.
🔅 The organizational ability to gather all manner of birds (7:3), animals and creeping creatures (7:2) and the divinely-given commonsensical capacity to tell their gender, making them get into the ark in groups of two – a male and female (7:9)
Tip: You need the management skills that are expressed through accuracy, precision and order. Apply these to finances, situational analysis, reading market trends, and other things that are relevant to your future.
BONUS: “THE X-FACTOR” FOR SURVIVAL:
Here are five additional qualities that gave Noah the “X-factor” for crisis times, and might save you from unnecessary pain in future:
🔖 Don’t just dismiss any warnings, especially spiritual in nature. Ask Noah (Hebrews 11:7).
🔖 You may not save the whole country, but your personal goodness can save your family. Ask Noah (Ezekiel 14:12-14).
🔖 Self-control and avoiding obsession with being a gluttonous party animal can make you stand out in crisis. Ask Noah (Matthew 24:37-39).
🔖 Utilizing divine patience and hurrying to lay hands on the Grace Period can save you long-term embarrassment. Ask Noah (1 Peter 3:18-20).
🔖 Standing up, speaking up and standing out for what’s right can earn you great dividends. Ask Noah (2 Peter 2:5).
My friend, may this bible-based reflection about the ancient man who survived the most awful lockdown inspire you to put your trust in the right place, have the right state of mind, prepare for the worst with a great attitude, and hope for the best with well-managed life.
Live. Love. Lead.
#YouWillManage
