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 1:1-3
Dear Lord Jesus, this is one of those days when fleeing to Tarshish looks inviting. If I could offer you selective obedience, there’d be no problem; but the gospel is sending me to places and stories I’d rather not visit.
I get Jonah’s struggle, but more importantly, you get mine. No one wrestled with doing the will of God more than you. No one’s been more honest about the price of obedience. But you were thinking about the great needs of others; I’m thinking about me, and how much I want a hassle-free, mess-free, conflict-free life.
This is why it’s so easy for me to come to you today without editing my feelings, repackaging my angst, or spinning my thoughts; because I’m one of those people you were thinking about as you prepared to go to the cross. As you cried out, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing,” you had me in view. As you crushed the head of the serpent, you had me in mind. As you were raised from the dead, you had me in your heart. When you spoke the words to Mary, “Don’t be afraid,” it wasn’t just for her benefit, but for mine as well. I praise and bless you.
Just talking to you this morning, I’m feeling better. It’s not that all of a sudden I now want to go to “Nineveh.” But I am feeling a little less inclined to break in line at the ticket counter to pay my fare to Tarshish. Thank you for being so welcoming, patient, and understanding.
You paid our fare for a life in the new heaven and new earth, and you’ll walk with us every step of the way until that Day. Even as I’m not thrilled about my current and future assignments to “Nineveh”, to know that you are with us and for us is enough. Surprise me with the power of the gospel. Turn my resigned heart into a rejoicing heart. So very Amen I pray, in your holy and loving name.
