We Need a Different Kind of Flood

Part of what makes the opening chapters of the book of Genesis so enthralling is the timeless and timely messages that endure. We concluded last week’s portion with what might be considered one of the most tragic statements from God ever: regret that He created man. In light of the conditions that currently exist on our planet, how much worse could the earth have been that God felt it necessary to destroy His entire creation? (Un)civil wars continue to plague our planet, some based upon religion, some upon politics, some upon ones’ sex or sexual orientation, some financial, some because the perpetrator enjoys sowing chaos. Whether it has been the flooding in the surrounding communities near Pittsburgh and the ensuing mudslides and loss of homes, to the hurricanes, typhoons and tidal waves across the globe; death of the mighty cedars in Lebanon, the baobab in mainland Africa and the rainforests of South America; miles of floating garbage in the oceans and polluted drinking water sources still in Flint; our track record is rather pathetic.

While God realizes that we are inclined towards evil from our youth (see Genesis 8:21), nonetheless He sets the rainbow as a permanent promise to never flood the earth and destroy humanity. The partnership that was begun in the Garden of Eden now takes shape. We are expected to be the planet’s superintendents. I shudder to think what a job performance review from God might read. While humanity should lose their job, whom would it fall upon? This sobering question leaves us with only two responses: an apathetic shrug or the impetus to do better. I know that we can and must do better; so do you. There is a different kind of flood that the world needs. The inhabitants of this planet must flood it with goodness and kindness, to wash away the evil that has arisen. As the late Elie Wiesel, z”l, stated so eloquently: the opposite of love is not hate, it is indifference. The constant bombardment of events has become a lidocaine that threatens to permanently numb us into acceptance of that which must be unacceptable. So many people just shrug their shoulders and feel helpless, unable to see hope for a brighter future as a possibility. Yet there are many people around this planet working hard to create a better tomorrow. We need to find more ways to learn about them, share their stories and support their endeavors. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the lead story on the evening news was about something positive? Don’t you ache to hear about it, instead of a warm and fuzzy piece at the end?

Get involved. Find that something that moves you. You might be surprised to find others who think the same way. All is not lost unless we just give up, and that is just not an option. Flood the earth to cleanse it and purify it. #Noah #Flood