Don't Run Away

Verse of the day: Jonah 4:2 And he prayed to the LORD, and said, I pray you, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before to Tarshish: for I knew that you are a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repent you of the evil.

I can no longer count the number of times that I have gone in the opposite direction from where the Lord was leading me to go. There are those times, for all of us, when we just do not want to take on the tasks we know God wants us to tackle. The problem with this is that every time we go away from what God desires to accomplish through us, we miss out on a great blessing. Too often, we tackle life from our perspective, instead of seeking God's perspective, on any given situation. Here, Jonah knowing who God is (gracious, merciful, slow to anger, kind), and knowing the possibility that God would forgive the people of Nineveh, who were known for their fierce wickedness, ran to Tarshish; in hopes that the people he was sent to minister to would instead be punished by God. However, that was not God's heart, and not God's plan. Needless to say, running away from God was futile. Ultimately, God got Jonah's attention, and he finally did what God called him to, with a supernatural outcome (an entire nation of people repenting, and turning to God). So today, I ask, are there any prejudices, grudges, or the like, that are keeping us from doing what we know God is calling us to? The fact is that in dealing with people, we will be offended, we will be hurt, and will suffer, in this lifetime. However, we are called to love others, as God loves us, and them. Too often, when we are bitter because of something someone has done to us, our bitterness increases when we see God's goodness toward that person. Who are we to judge who God chooses to show goodness to? This is where Jonah was. Instead of rejoicing about a whole nation repenting, and coming to God, he chose to ask God to kill him. God forbid, that we, as God's children, should ever become so bitter that we refuse to share God's love, and His Word, with those who desperately need it. Is there some task that we have been avoiding, knowing that God is calling us to it? It is not too late to turn and move in the direction that God is calling us to move in. When Jonah repented, God forgave him, and when he went to Nineveh, He used him greatly (in spite of his attitude). Let us not rob ourselves of the blessings God has for us, and those He wants us to serve, over a grudge or a prejudice. We are called to serve God, and people, in a way that will represent Jesus with honor and glory. If you do not know Jesus as your Savior, then, like the people of Nineveh, repent of your sinful ways, confess them to God, and ask Jesus to give you eternal life. Do it today, as we are not guaranteed tomorrow. If you already know Jesus, but have been moving away from Him, and what He has called you to; repent, confess it, and turn back to Him, and His calling on your life. If you are alive, and still breathing, it is not too late, and He still has a plan for your life (1 Cor 15:58).