But the dove could find no place to set its feet 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 8:9
Noah had a plan. First, he sent a raven outside the ark. He had hoped the raven would bring back a sign of life. The raven never returned.
Then Noah sent out a dove. The dove returned with no sign that the water had receded. After a week, the dove was again released. This time, it returned with an olive leaf. Noah knew the time to leave the ark was near. Another week passed. The dove was released and never returned.
Lord, I want to be like the dove. I want to be part of Your plan. But I need You to reach out Your hand - to draw me back into Your arms. I long to be safely by Your side. I don't want to be like the raven - going it alone, searching for a place without You. Set me free, so I might return.
Free me from the darkness. I long for the day when I will dwell with You forever.