If you grew up in church, you probably heard about the prophet, Jonah, who was swallowed by a big fish in his attempt to escape the assignment God had given him. The story came across as trivial during my younger years. The whole idea of running from God seemed silly and pointless. I mean, He’s God. He’s everywhere and He knows everything. How do you run from the Creator?
I admit I judged Jonah. But as I was studying Bible characters I relate to, I realized that Jonah hits closer to home than I care to admit. I’ve done my own running which made me understand Jonah in a more intimate way.
Jonah received word from the Lord to go to Nineveh, announce His judgment, and encourage them to repent from their wicked ways. But instead of obeying God’s call, Jonah goes in the opposite direction to run away from the Lord.
This is where my story looks very similar to Jonah’s. Shortly after I moved to the Bay Area, I was given an opportunity with the women’s ministry at my church. I had just moved from LA and was getting serious about my walk with Christ. I had been straddling the fence for too long and living in the gray. I knew I wanted to serve in my church, however, when I received the chance to do so, fear gripped me and I ran.
I let the enemy whisper lies about my identity and put fear in my heart about how God could possibly use a sinner like me. He told me lies about how I was still too wild to lead anyone- too much of a party girl. Once I gave ear to his lies, they came in one after the other: you’re not holy enough to serve at this church; you’re not ready to be set apart and to stop doing the things that make you who you are. Don’t you still want to have fun? If you get involved in ministry, you won’t be able to do any of the fun stuff you enjoy anymore- you know church is all about rules and restrictions. You will be held accountable for living a holy life by people who are struggling themselves. Who are they to teach you anything? Do you really want the added responsibility right now, especially while trying to date and find your bearings in a new city? Do you really want to give up everything to follow God? What about dating and finding your husband? No man wants some woman who is holier than thou; men will think you’re a prude and you’ll never meet that special guy. Plus, you’re too new to the church to really make a difference. This is too much too soon. You’re not ready.
It may sound silly, but I believed all of it and ran in the opposite direction just like Jonah. In his haste to disobey God’s call on his life, Jonah set sail on a ship to Tarshish and while on board with the sailors, a great storm hit. While the sailors were panicking, Jonah was sound asleep in the hold of the ship. He was enjoying the sweet bliss of disobedience when the captain of the ship asked him how he could sleep through this horrid storm. Eventually, the sailors also questioned Jonah and he admitted to serving the God of heaven who made the sea and the land. They threw him overboard and he got swallowed by a giant fish. He stayed inside the fish for three days and three nights praying to God before getting vomited up on land.
Never forget the enemy knows God has a purpose for you in His kingdom and will do whatever he can to stop it. If he thinks he has succeeded, he may not bother you for a while. I was still attending church during my runaway time. The enemy has no problem with you attending church- he just doesn’t want the Word taking root in your heart and changing your actions. Instead, that sneaky devil will just sprinkle in feelings of shame and regret as you walk in disobedience. Before you can address these feelings and apply what you’re learning in church, he’ll continuously distract you, offering unhealthy coping mechanisms to make you think you are combatting the discontent. Blissful sleep indeed! Those coping mechanisms will only veer you even farther from the path of righteousness and obedience.
My storms weren’t immediate, they were gradual. However, each storm got worse and each disobedient step left a hole that seemed to only get bigger. The hole you may be feeling will only grow wider and nothing can fill it other than the Holy Spirit. No drink, sex partner, substance, or like on social media can give you the joyful contentment that only comes from Jesus.
Like Jonah, you may need to be thrown overboard and end up in the belly of a fish calling out to God in your distress.
What we must understand is that God will accomplish what He designed for your life and use the storms and experiences to work for your good and His glory. God answered Jonah’s prayer and he eventually got to Nineveh, a city that worshiped Nanshe, a fish goddess, and Dagon, the fish god who was half man and half fish. Yes, God had a fish swallow Jonah so when He went to Nineveh and told them about the miraculous experience, his story about his time in the fish would create credibility amongst the Ninevites and catch their attention long enough for them to hear the word of God and turn from their wicked ways. God’s power and divine strategy were on display despite the weakness of the servant he sent.
Like me, you may have judged Jonah or mocked his reluctant obedience. You may be still running or have run from God in the past and life’s storms have brought you to your knees. It’s not too late to get back on the right path. As we enter the new year, Jesus can renew your life and use it for His purpose. He’s willing and waiting to use you and every storm you’ve experienced if you surrender your will and do it His way. I’m a living, breathing example. If you can’t relate to Jonah, hopefully, you can relate to me and my experience.
I thought I botched my chance to do God’s work, but I was so wrong. He trusted me with the opportunity to lead a program in my church where we help women see their inner beauty and put it on display for the Lord. He also gave me the inspiration for my blog and the ability to show the love of Christ in my full-time job. Recently, He even assigned me to a new leadership opportunity in my church. He continues to create opportunities for me to use my talents for His glory.
Friends, God does not need us in order to fulfill His purpose on this earth. Should we refuse His instruction, He’ll simply raise up another. But wouldn’t it be wonderful to know that we were called and used by God? Let your response to God be, “Yes!” this new year. I promise you won’t regret it.
