Bloom Where You’re Planted: Jonah

“But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed to Tarshish.” Jonah 1:3a

Have you ever “run away” from the Lord?  Maybe God was leading you to a different geographical location, but you didn’t want to uproot yourself or your family.

Maybe He was not leading you into something in particular, but you reasoned yourself into doing it anyway.

“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.”  I Corinthians 10:13a, comes to mind.  

So what is common to man?  Running away from God, questioning God’s voice was heard right, disqualifying ourselves due to perceived inadequacies, and charging full speed headfirst in the wrong direction.

If you have ever done the opposite of what you are called to do, you are in great, if greatly misguided, company.

This is the first of the series, “Bloom Where You’re Planted.”  Here in the Midwestern US, we are finally(!) glimpsing some solid signs of spring.  The birds are singing before sunrise.  The grass is growing and “greening”.  And yet, not all of us love where we are planted.  Even when you have bathed something in prayer and have seen confirmation you should indeed do something specific, you may not always love it.

Some Bible characters had the same dilemma.  Their stories are real and the heroes themselves are real people whose character was shaped when they learned to submit to God.

Delve deeper into these familiar stories.  In them, you just might see yourself.

Monday:

Jonah: “I Don’t Want To!”

“The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: ‘Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.’ But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish.  He went down to Joppa where he found a ship bound for that port.  After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord.” Jonah 1:1-4

Jonah was downright defiant! He absolutely refused to go to Nineveh.  But he didn’t just sit there sulking, he attempted to leave and go to Tarshish, which was the farthest place from Nineveh he could imagine!

Imagine the defiance rising up inside Jonah.  Just as the ship sailed deep into the waters leaving port, Jonah sailed right out of God’s plan, deep into dark trouble.

We read in verses 4-10 that a “violent storm with a great wind” arose.  The captain and the crew were extremely frightened.  They were doing everything possible to prevent the ship from sinking: throwing cargo overboard, each praying to his own god, and even trying to determine who was responsible for this great catastrophe.

By lot-casting, they realized Jonah was responsible.  Jonah had to tell about his defiant attitude and actions.  To his credit, he openly admitted to everything.  All the while the severe storm is intensifying.

In verse 12, Jonah, ready for his consequences, tells the men to throw him overboard into the sea.

Throughout this week we will continue with all of Jonah’s story.  (If you just can’t wait, please feel free to read the rest of Jonah, chapter 2-4!)

Reflections:

When have I had a defiant attitude about something God has called me to do?

Read Jonah 1:10.  “What have you done?” is the question asked.  They are not literally asking Jonah about his physical actions he has taken, but what situation he has created.

This is a question asked in terror, implications too horrible to imagine. “What have you done?”

As you consider a time when you were defiant, ask yourself,  “What have I done?”

Who am I to know better than God?

Who am I to author what should be?

Who am I to determine what is right?

What are the spiritual implications of these actions?

Close today’s time with a true prayer of repentance.  Admit your failure and arrogance.  Then rest in the forgiveness He freely gives.

“Thank you Lord for your forgiveness and for your great omniscience.  You know and see everything.  My vision is so limited Lord, as is my influence, although I may often overestimate it.  Thank you Lord for your great love.  You always take care of me, discipline me, and I thank you Lord, that you, “O Lord, have done as you pleased.” Jonah 1:14b

Tuesday:

Read Jonah 2

Jonah is held captive inside the fish.  Sometimes, God needs to be dramatic to get our attention!

As you read Jonah’s prayer, notice his change in attitude.  Where is the defiance now?

Note verse 6b, “But you brought my life up from the pit, O Lord, my God.”

Literally, returning Jonah physically from the pit of the sea.  Spiritually, returning Jonah’s soul to a right place in communion with God.

Consider how defiance wrecks your relationship with God.  In Verse 9, “But I, with a song of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you.  What I have vowed I will make good.  Salvation comes from the Lord.”

Are you ready to sacrifice the self, what you want to do, to submit to God’s plans, to obey him?

Wednesday:

Read Jonah 3

Consider Jonah 3:9.  Why was Jonah going to Nineveh?

Jonah himself had disobeyed God.  I imagine the whale smell was still lingering on Jonah as he entered the city.  His odor served as a great reminder to Jonah how he himself knew first-hand about disobedience.  And he himself knew just how deep God’s compassion runs.

Although no one probably wanted to stand near Jonah, and Jonah probably imagined no one would want to hear his words either, God demonstrated that when He calls us to something, no matter how seemingly impossible, He will complete the task.

God used Jonah’s disobedience and his repentance to teach Jonah more about how we all must obey God.  And when we fail, and sincerely repent, we glimpse how deep His compassion runs.

What have you learned about God throughout your defiant times?

Thursday:

Read Jonah 4.

Where is Jonah’s attitude now?

He is justifying his earlier actions for disobeying God!  Wait a minute, how did he get into the Bible?  Should he not learn once and for all?

At first blush, I am horrified.  Then as I reflect on my own experiences, my own color deepens: I can relate.

Note the Lord’s reply in verse 4, “Have you any right to be angry?”

Again, in verse 9, God says to Jonah, “Do you have a right to be angry about the vine?”

Bottom line, I must remember my place.  It’s not all about me. I may want it to be all about me, but it isn’t! God is God.  I am merely human.  God is omniscient, all-powerful, omnipresent; I am none of those.  I am a human who sees my world, through lens I wish to use, seeing what I want to see.

Jonah (and I) have no right to assume that either of us knows more than God.

Friday:

Reflect on Jonah’s story.

What parts spoke to you? Why?

What did you see differently in reading Jonah this week, than when you read it before?

“Thank you Lord for never giving up on me.  Though I am often selfish and misguided, your love and compassion know no bounds.  Please use all of my experiences to teach me more about You and Your desires of how I should live my life.  May I forever cling to your promise in Romans 8:28, ” And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Thank you for reading! I love hearing from you!  Please share your thoughts, comments and insights with us!  Have a great week!  Please return by Monday, April 29 for the next post.