Gather your people

Gather your people                                                                                    

The story of Noah and the Ark –

those who believe it are labeled literalists,

often deemed silly, deluded people of faith –

treated much like Noah himself.

But those who mock them,

are they not literalists, also?

Dismissing the story out of hand,

its origin and development

without an attempt to explain

how and why it has survived millenniums,

nor appraise its import and value

concerning our relationship with God.  

God and Noah walked stem to stern

inspecting the constructed ark. 

God approved of Noah’s effort and care,

his obedience, loyalty and rock-ribbed faith. 

He said, Gather your people aboard. 

You are all safe now – whether it rains or not.

O child of God, the value of faith in our lives

goes far beyond the obvious and the literal.