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My mother was something of an omnivert; at least, that's what they're calling it these days. Mom would come to life when doting on the retired folks in her little snack shop each day. She would decorate --the shop and herself! --for every holiday or event. She loved having conversations with even the surliest of customers, teasing out of them a smile or a snort of concession. When it came to peers and social settings, however, she was a little less luminescent. She'd agree to show up to a party and cancel last minute. She was master of the Irish Goodbye (or French Exit, depending on your country of ancestry). She'd fidget in her seat during the functions she was forced to attend and vow, once she left, it was the last. Being something of an "omnivert" myself, I've come to realize this has less to do with energy or personality, and more to do with control or gaining the upper hand. If I feel comfortable with folks, I can hang all day; if I'm intimidated, uncertain, or feel unwanted, I want out of there as quickly as possible. Seriously, do you know anyone who isn't like that? Good relationships start with feeling wanted and safe.

In Genesis 7:1, ADONAI said to Noach, “Come into the ark, you and all your household; for I have seen that you alone in this generation are righteous before me. God told Noah to join Him where He was. Feeling wanted, safety, right? Mind you, this is the God who says to His people again and again, I will never leave you of forsake you. Meaning, where God was when He called Noah to Himself, is where He was going to stay. Does this mean God was holed up in a cabin awaiting the end of the deluge as Noah and his family did? No, God summoned Noah and his family to join Him in the ark; He Himself is the ark! That's what I call safety! After decades of gopher wood, pitch and, perhaps, a crazy amount of harassment from the neighbors, Noah moved into his new home and waited for rain --whatever that is. He had no clue how long they would be on board, where their journey would take them; but they had God. His plan was to spare them, to welcome them, to remain with them, to shelter them, and for His people to be in Him. That includes you and me! We do that through His Son, Jesus Christ who is God. He calls us into relationship, to follow where He leads and be where He is; and we are safe, at peace in His presence. Feeling wanted, safety.

1 Corinthians 1:30, 31 tell us, But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.” Like Noah, we don't round up the animals, we don't plot the course, we don't even close the door. Christ beckons us to come and we --I pray --come to be in Him. So long as we remain in Him and He in us, we experience fullness of joy; we are able to do all He commands. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. We are made new and are no longer condemned to death. Romans 8:1 says, There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. We might even be willing to go where we won't necessarily have the upper hand. Because we are wanted by the God of the universe; because we are safe in the One True God who is sovereign over heaven and earth.

Uncomfortable, perhaps dangerous situations? We are in Christ! Sure, the skies may darken, the storms may come, the waves may roll us about, and we might have no idea where we will land, but we can remain in Him. For God to shelter, guard, and guide Noah and his family as their smelly, cacophonous zoo rocked and bumped over a water-covered world was HUGE!! Every one of us can be in Him as well. Our first step is to simply Come.