Do you ever feel like running away?
When I was a young girl I remember writing a note informing my mom that I had run away because I was tired of always cleaning. I taped the note to my bedroom door. With a snack, some Neosporin, and a change of clothes tucked inside a knapsack, I marched out the front door. The northwest corner of our yard was shaded with various trees. It felt like a little oasis. My run-a-way distance was only about sixty yards from our front steps. I have no recollection of the amount of time I was gone or the reason why I returned, but I imagine it was about an hour later when mom probably called me in for dinner. My sulking was short lived.
Okay, Neosporin? What? I guess the younger me was prepared for the boo-boos that would occur along the way. And, the funny thing is, now…cleaning…the task I was running away from…brings me such satisfaction and joy in the end.
In the bible, Jonah ran about 350 miles away, repented, returned, did what needed to be done, yet his attitude remained one of sulking, not satisfaction. (Oh, you didn’t realize that the story of Jonah ended with his grumpy attitude? Read the recap below for more than just a “Jonah in the belly of a whale” story.) His ending was a bit different from my fugitive experience, but we can learn a lesson from Jonah and my childhood, and combine the two for a joyous end result.
In life, you may be called to do a godly assignment but it scares you to death. You want to run the opposite way and rationalize that someone else could do that assignment much better, or you’re just not feeling the task at hand. So, maybe you do decide to venture off in a contradictory journey from where God is leading you. May I ask, “How’s that turning out for you?” If you answered honestly and reflectively, you probably realize that you needed some type of “Neosporin” along the way. You may have discovered that you missed out on some blessings that could have been given to you, but instead there were some blunders/boo-boos.
When you doubt your ability to accomplish a task that God has given you, remember that He called you to it for a purpose and will see you through it.
If you are in the renegade mode now from an assignment from God, I want to encourage you to do as Jonah and repent, pray, turn from your selfish ways and turn to Him.
If you are a Christian, you are called to share the gospel. Whether the distance is sixty yards, 350 miles, or to a whole other nation, go with confidence knowing that the Lord is with you.
Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
Here’s the end result; along your destined journey, you may or may not know the effect your smile, your words, or your actions has on those around you, but when you live with a pure heart for Jesus and allow His love to shine through you, there is so much joy in the end. The end I’m referring to is eternity. For Jonah, although he begrudgingly did what he was instructed to do, a powerful and wicked city of 120,000 people repented of their sins, turned from their selfish ways, and turned to God. That had to be the greatest revival ever!
Just like my attitude has changed about cleaning, you may find that the thing you’re running away from in the first place is exactly what will bring joy in the end.
Here’s a RECAP of the Story of Jonah. It’s not just about a man being swallowed by a fish and regurgitated onto shore. The lessons learned along the way are ones that we can digest and allow them to be relevant in our own lives. (These are just my own thoughts and notes while reading the Book of Jonah.)
Chapter one:
- Happenings: God told Jonah to “Get up and go”. He was sending Jonah to a place that was a powerful and wicked city, Nineveh. Jonah got up and went for sure, however he went in the opposite direction God told him to go. Lesson: When we contradict what the Lord wants us to do, we are rejecting Him and being disobedient to His plans.
- Jonah paid a price. He paid for a ticket to board a ship that was heading to Joppa. Once he was found to be the reason for a violent storm to threaten to break the ship apart, Jonah paid with his life to be thrown overboard. Lesson: When we stray/run-away from God, there is a price to pay. Our payment may end up being our own life. Jonah did own up to his mistake. We need to own up to ours too.
- A violent storm did transpire and threaten the lives of all onboard. All this occurred because one man didn’t want to do what God instructed him to do. His task was to warn and save the lives of an entire city. Jonah’s actions ended up putting the lives of others at risk. Lesson: We can never escape from God. The selfish choices we make can…do…affect others. We, Christians, have a job to do too…to go and tell others about Jesus. When we disobey, we are definitely putting the lives of others in grave danger. The words and love of Christ that we share with others can save them for eternity.
- The desperate sailors could tell that Jonah was different. They wanted him to pray to his God, since their gods were capable of changing their situation. Lesson: Others can see a difference in you. Don’t be ashamed. Only The One True God can change situations.
- Troubles come when we flee from God. Things get worse. Lesson: Just don’t flee. It’s okay to obey. Actually, more than okay.
- God has a way of turning our boo-boos into blessings. In verses 13-16, the unbelieving sailors ended up believing in God. They pleaded, “don’t make us die for this man’s sins.” When I read that I couldn’t help but think that that is exactly what Jesus did for you and me. He died for our sins. The sailors also recognized that the storm sent was for His own good reason. That good reason was that they all vowed to serve the Lord. Hallelujah! Lesson: When we choose to do things our own way and it doesn’t work out so well, we can turn to God and He will find purpose in the pain. To God be all the glory.
- The Lord arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah. Lesson: Nothing takes God by surprise. He had a plan. Does God carefully think on the fly or does He know we will mess up. Hmmm…it’s no surprise to Him.
Chapter two:
- Once Jonah was inside the fish, then he prayed to the Lord. Lesson: God can hear our prayers from anywhere.
- Jonah felt sank, engulfed, buried, wrapped, and imprisoned all because of the choice that he made to disobey God. Lesson: Sometimes you may get so low that you feel there is nowhere to go. Look up. Cry out to the Lord. There is no place to go but up. He can save you.
- Jonah remembered the Lord. He cried out to God and had worship time in the belly of the great fish. Salvation comes from the Lord. Lesson: You know God has great plans and a promise for you. Stop running the other way and run to God. Complete what He has started in you. (Phil 1:16)
Chapter three:
- The Lord spoke to Jonah for a second time. The first time was in verse two of chapter one. Then, He was a Demonstrator in chapter two. The instruction He gave to Jonah did not change. His words remained the same, to “Get up and go”. Lesson: God’s message hasn’t changed. God remains the same. Have you moved away from the Lord? Turn back.
- This time Jonah obeyed. Lesson: Why do we often have a “this time”? If we would just obey the Lord the first time, it would save us a lot of trouble.
- In verse 6 it says, “When the king of Nineveh heard”. Lesson: People may be waiting to simply hear about Jesus. Let this encourage you to share Christ with others.
- The Ninevites prayed earnestly to God. Lesson: Their earnest prayer and repentance resulted in no destruction occurring to them and their city. We need to make sure that we don’t flippantly pray to God, but sincerely and humbly.
Chapter four:
- In this last chapter is where we see cantankerous Jonah. It’s perplexing to see Jonah in this state. He calls God merciful, compassionate, slow to get angry, and filled with unfailing love, yet Jonah pouted about the 120,000 having a change of heart and believing in the Lord. Lesson: It is NOT about us. God desires for all to come to know Him and have a personal relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ. When lives are changed because of and for Christ, we should rejoice, not sulk.
- God arranged for a leafy plant to grow to provide shade and shelter for Jonah for the day, while he pouted. Lesson: Even when we don’t deserve it, God provides.
- God sent a worm to eat through the plant. The plant died, the sun grew hot, and Jonah was so angry he wanted to die. Jonah was more compassionate about the plant dying than if the 120,000 would have died without knowing God. Lesson: We need to be empathetic and compassionate towards others’ spiritual being more than our material needs. Be grateful and forgiving. God can forgive anyone who repents and turns to Him. He is The Judge, not us.
See, it’s more than a man in a whale story. It is a story of redemption and sacrifice, and an example of God’s mercy, forgiveness, and love in our lives.
Get up and go.
Go tell others about Jesus.
Blessings to you and yours,
Stephanie