Genesis 6:14, 22 KJVA — Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch. … Thus did Noah according to all that God commanded him, so did he.

There’s a thing in business called a “blue ocean” strategy. It’s about taking your business into a new place — one where competition doesn’t create blood in the water. Adopting a blue ocean strategy takes at least three things. It takes imagination, gut, and the willingness to act. I think you might call that combination of qualities “faith”.
I was reminded of this when Noah came into mind this morning. Here was the man with the first blue ocean strategy.
It started with imagination. God says “Noah, make thee an ark.” What did Noah say? Well, that’s where our imagination comes in. There’s no recording of Noah’s part of the conversation. “An ark Lord. Yes, right away Lord. And what would one of those be?” “Well Noah, I’m going to flood everywhere, and the ark is what’s going to keep you out of the water.” “Out of the water. O.K.” and Noah got to building — he could, somehow, see the picture.
Then there’s guts. It started with the neighbors. Let your imagination roam some more … What do you think they thought? Can’t you just hear them? “What in the world? Noah, are you out of your mind? What kind of house is that?” Just carrying on in the face of that can’t have been easy.
Then there was the willingness to act. Noah opened up the doors, loaded the ark, and set off into the unknown. And that’s the key. Anybody can have an idea. Imagination is great. Having the courage to prepare is terrific. But when the moment comes, you have to step out in faith.
So how about you? Today you are in one of three places. You’re a sold-out Christian, a half-hearted Christian, or a not-yet Christian. If it’s the first — great job. You already got the boat, out the life-preserver on and set sail.
The rest of you … What’s keeping you? Is it that you can’t imagine what the sailing will be like, or what you might find when the sailing is done?
Maybe changing your life is just too scary? I can understand that. Let’s be honest. For a lot of us, the way our lives changed when we became Christians was pretty scary. And when we got past the rush of excitement, and set our minds to being real Christians, the step change was even wilder.
Or maybe it’s just that thought of taking the final step. Making the commitment. Knowing there’s no turning back.
Listen. I get it. Imagination, courage, commitment — faith. It’s a lot to ask. But here’s a thought. Noah found it. But what happened to the folks who didn’t join him on his blue ocean journey?