God’s Master Plan: The Story of Noah’s Ark
(A Personal Reflection on Starting My MBA Journey)
Oluwatobi Michael
January 27, 2026
Introduction
I’ve been reflecting on the story of Noah’s ark, and one thing has struck me, God gave Noah explicit instructions on how to build the ark, down to the smallest detail. The dimensions, the materials, the layout everything was meticulously planned by God (Genesis 6:14–16). Nothing about the ark was improvised. It was a vessel designed by God, built in total obedience, and filled according to His command. It was a massive undertaking, but Noah trusted God’s plan and obeyed.
What’s more remarkable is that while God provided clear instructions on almost everything, there was one crucial element that was left out Navigation. Noah was responsible for the construction, but God retained the navigation. God Himself took the helm, guiding the ark through the floodwaters (Genesis 7:16; Psalm 104:26). It’s a powerful reminder that even when we’re following God’s plan, we’re not always in control. Just as Noah couldn’t navigate the ark on his own, we can’t control the storms of life either but God can. Only Him can direct our path safely according to His preordained plans for our lives. He is the Captain, guiding us through turbulent waters, preserving us, and keeping us safe. God Himself is actively involved in our lives, navigating us through storms and bringing us to safety.
This realization has become a mirror for my current season of life.
Choosing Obedience
Sometimes, God brings someone into your life, and you sense a divine connection. It’s as if God is saying, “This is part of My plan for you.” When we recognize the leading of God through others, it is wise to yield wholly to it, trusting that God is working through them for our good.
Five months ago, an MBA was not even on my horizon. The suggestion came through the wisdom of someone I look up to greatly as a mentor, father, and boss. I felt a sudden shift in direction, it was like a new set of blueprints being handed to me. The advice was backed up with crucial support, which I deeply appreciate as a vital resource for undertaking this new academic journey. This further confirmed to me that God is involved. Enrolling became an act of obedience “as if unto the Lord” once I realized that God was directing me through the wise counsel of His vessel. I recognize that my obedience is not to a man, but to God, who is the Captain of my life. Recognizing the leading of God through a human vessel makes obedience easier. I am deeply grateful to God’s vessel and instrument of direction in my life.
The story of the ark teaches us that following God’s plan doesn’t mean we are in control, it means we are safe. My current journey is defined by this distinction:
1. The construction is my responsibility: I am called to do the work, to study, to show up, and to build faithfully according to the instructions I’ve been given.
2. The navigation belongs to God.
Just as God shut the door of the ark and guided it through the greatest storm in history, He is navigating my life today.
When God brings a mentor into our lives, it is a divine connection designed to fulfill a purpose (Romans 8:28). My experience in this season has taught me to:
1. Trust the Source through the vessel: I am deeply grateful for the guidance of my mentor, but my ultimate confidence remains in the Lord who sent him (Psalm 118:8–9).
2. Surrender the compass: God’s ways are higher than mine (Isaiah 55:8–9). Ignoring wise counsel or insisting on my own way could lead to missed opportunities.
3. See obedience as worship: Following God’s leading through the counsel of others is a testimony to His authority over my life.
The ark was preserved not because Noah knew where he was going or what to avoid, but because God did. Today, I move forward with the same peace Noah must have felt inside the ark, even as the waters rose and the storm raged. On this new academic journey, I do not need to manage the outcomes or steer the ship, I only need to play my part in obedience.
I am stepping into this MBA program with immense gratitude for the support of my mentor and father figure who pointed the way, and with total surrender to God the Captain who is at the helm.
Oluwatobi Michael is a seasoned marketing executive who serves as the Social Media & Content Manager for GIVA Ministries International. A proud alumnus of the University of Ilorin with a degree in Physics, Oluwatobi currently resides in Lagos, where he leverages his expertise to drive impactful content and social media strategies for the ministry.
