“But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord…” Jonah 1:3
If you were God and were searching for a potential candidate to become one of your prophets, you would probably have a list of good qualities that you would require for the position. You’d want someone who is a good listener. Someone who is measured in their response. Someone who clearly knows right from wrong, and is willing to point out the difference when he sees it. Someone who exercises patience and wisdom, and isn’t quick to judge. Someone who has a good attitude and doesn’t whine and complain if the task seems hard. But most importantly, someone who aspires to live in complete obedience to your commands.
Jonah had not a single one of those qualities. In fact, he had just the opposite of those qualities. He was bitter and resentful; he was rebellious and willfully disobedient; he lacked wisdom and patience, and he was incredibly irresponsible and unforgiving.
And yet God used him anyway. And not only did He use him – this reluctant prophet’s preaching, in a town he didn’t even want to be in, led to the greatest story of repentance in the entire Old Testament.
The first scene we have of Jonah is one of complete rebellion. God has given him a mission to go to Nineveh and preach against the wickedness of the people there. And Jonah wants no part of it. And for good reason.
The Ninevites were evil. They had oppressed and persecuted Jonah’s people for centuries. He hated them with a passion. What God was commanding Jonah to do would be like telling a Jewish resident who lived in New York City in the early 1940’s to hop on plane, fly to Berlin, and forgive the Nazis and offer them a second chance. So perhaps we should cut Jonah the least little bit of slack. This mission wasn’t exactly an easy one.
One of the reasons why I personally like the story of Jonah so much is because I can completely identify with this dude’s rebellious nature. There are some things that God commands me to do that I really don’t want no part of. But the other reason I like this story is because it reveals some valuable lessons about the importance of attitude and the consequences of not doing what God wants us to do.
I have some of my own examples that I struggle with often.
“Seriously, God? You want me to forgive this person after all they’ve done to me?” Yeah, He does. And even if they continue, He wants me to continue forgiving them. “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” (Matthew 18:21-22)
“You want me to help this guy on the side of the road change his tire in the pouring rain? You’re joking, right?” No. Not a joke. “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them. (James 4:17)
“Love my enemies? Sometimes I struggle to love even my friends! But you expect me to love even those who are plotting my demise?” Yep. Sure do. “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44)
“You mean to tell me that if I’m stuck in traffic for an hour I’m not to complain about it? Or when I’m patiently waiting for someone to pull out of a parking spot close to the store entrance, and I even have my blinker on to let another driver know that I got there first, and at the last second he pulls in and takes my spot? I’m supposed to be okay with that? It’s not fair!” Life isn’t fair sometimes. And no, it’s not okay to complain. “Do everything without complaining and arguing.” (Philippians 2:14)
It’s not that hard to obey God when it’s something convenient or something we want to do. We don’t find it difficult being kind to people who are kind to us in return. I may even stop to help a guy change his tire on a nice sunny day.
But extending grace to rude people? Or helping a guy change his tire in the pouring rain? That’s not easy.
And yet that’s what God wants us to do. And not only does He want us to do the things we’d rather not do, but He desires for us to do them with a spirit of gladness and humility.
So the question today: What is one thing that you feel God has recently called you to do that you don’t want to do?
Former Blackout Artist 