In this digital age, where just about anything is captured on social media, we see some videos on stunts, risky challenges, funny moments caught on videos etc. that others may describe as “ridiculous.” Regardless of the reason for posting these types of videos; perhaps, it is to captivate an audience, boost likes and subscription or for another reason, these types of videos receive traffic Online – we watch them! Recently, I have been thinking about whether we would be prepared to do something others may think would be “ridiculous” for God to demonstrate faith and obedience. I then, of course, opened the Bible for stories that could fall under this category of doing something others may describe as “ridiculous”. Some of these stories are:
- Noah and the Ark – Built an ark to float on water for people and animals to be saved from a predicted flood (Gensis)
- Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego – Standing up for God (Daniel 3)
- Daniel in the Lion’s Den – Praying 3 times a day to God in spite of a decree against it (Daniel 6)
- David and Goliath – Fighting a giant with a sling and a few smooth stones (1 Samuel 17)
- Queen Ester – Risking her life to speak to King Xerxes without being called to speak to the King (Esther 4-5)
- King Naaman – Dipping 7 times in the Jordan River to be healed (2 Kings 5)
Each of these stories required someone to step-out in faith in God. This suggests that faith and belief in God by itself may not be enough, at some point, we must put it into action; and sometimes that may lead to looking “ridiculous.” In the story of Noah and the Ark, he built an ark with the specifications provided to him by God to escape the predicted flood of the earth (Genesis 6). Sure enough after 120 years, the land was destroyed with water and the only place of safety was the ark, and Noah, his family and the animals God instructed him to carry into the ark survived. Building a massive ark, may have seemed ridiculous to others, however it was God’s provision for safety and rescue – Would you look ridiculous for God? Perhaps, you may find yourself in a situation where you may need to exercise your faith and demonstrate your expectancy that God will show-up in your situation, in a way that may be perceived as “ridiculous.” Pray that God will give you the courage to do what He asked you do and/or the courage to stretch your faith in a difficult season. Also noteworthy here is that all of the above stories resulted in great reward when they trusted in God and was obedient – Noah and his family escaped the flood, Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego escaped the fiery furnace, Daniel was uninjured in the lion’s Den, David defeated Goliath and received great recognition and became King, Queen Ester saved her people from harm, and King Naaman was healed. Whatever you may be going through, pray and ask God for guidance and the courage to exercise your faith, the Bible tells us that those who hope in the Lord will not be disappointment (Romans 5:5). Stay encouraged, God loves and cares for you. He laid down his life for all humanity that we may be forgiven for our sins and reconciled back to Him as heirs to everlasting life (John 3:16; John 14:3).