Timing is everything. Noah survived the flood; the waters have receded; and now there’s a bigger test than going into the ark—when is it time to leave it?
“After forty days, Noah opened a window he had made in the ark, and sent out a raven, and it kept flying back and forth until the water had dried up from the earth. Then he sent out a dove to see if the water had receded from the surface of the ground. But the dove could find nowhere to perch because there was water over all the surface of the earth; so it returned to Noah in the ark. He reached out his hand and took the dove and brought it back to himself in the ark.” (Genesis 8 v 6-9)
Just because you can see the mountains doesn’t mean you should fling wide the door; there is wisdom in opening a window first. Just because you can see improvement doesn’t mean everything has changed.
Whatever the ravens and doves mean to you, wisdom urges you to use them.
The raven never returned. We know people who are like ravens. They excel in a crisis, making do with whatever scraps they find; they’re survivors and adaptors. But Noah is searching for something else.
The dove returned. We know people who are doves, as they are peaceful. They need trees and gentle environments. Noah realised that the world wasn’t ready for him just yet.
The dove isn’t better than the raven; it is all about understanding what is happening. Noah didn’t force the solution; he patiently waited and trusted in these messengers.
Sometimes it takes courage to say, “I’m not ready yet.”
Maybe this is where you are now. The storm has passed, and the floodwaters are receding, but today is not the day to throw the door wide open. You’re not ready for normal just yet. Today is the day for the window. A time for small tests and reorienting yourself in life. This is wisdom.
Missions Paul 