Seing Others Through Eyes of Hope

Last summer I had the opportunity to see "Noah – The Musical" in Branson, MO. It was very good, and worth seeing if you have a chance. From the beginning of the musical, they describe it as a ‘Fictional portrayal of a Factual Event.’ All that means is that they took artistic liberties in telling the story.

One theme throughout the play was that Noah was constantly telling everyone that he came across all about what God was going to do. But he never stopped there. He always went on to invite them into the ark. He always gave them the opportunity to be saved. He always wanted to give them hope. Even as he and his immediate family, extended family and friends worked together to build the ark, he continued to offer them entrance into the ark.


Initially Noah had many of his extended family and friends helping him build the ark. Eventually Noah and his immediate family watched as each of their family members and friends were drawn away from the work on the ark to ‘better things worth their time and effort’. This was their family. These were their best friends. Yet they chose not to enter the ark, though Noah never stopped offering it to them.

Can you believe it? He never stopped offering hope- and he did this for over 100 years! Can you imagine the number of people who came to gawk at the ark being built on dry land, far from water? Can you imagine how many people he offered hope to? Why did he never stop? The answer is that he didn’t see the people as God described them – ‘people with corrupt ways.’ He saw them through eyes of hope. The same hope that he had received from God. If God could give him salvation and hope, surely He would give it to others.

I was personally challenged by that. I have what Noah had. God has given me salvation and hope. Just as Noah never stopped offering hope of salvation…so I should never stop offering it to those I cross paths with. I may not have to do it over 100 years – but that’s not the point. I need to talk every opportunity now. So when I hesitate to share with someone…I can’t think about how they may react, but focus on the hope that I’ve been given to share.

The hope that I share may just be a helping hand. It may be a smile or a word of encouragement to someone who’s having a rough day. Or it may be an opportunity to share with them how God really is working in their circumstances or situation. No matter what the opportunity, with the help of the Holy Spirit, I must take those opportunities to offer hope and salvation.

I wish all of you would get the opportunity to see "Noah – the Musical." But even if you don’t, I suggest you read more about Noah in Genesis 6. Let God inspire you through Noah, to share the hope and salvation that we’ve been given.