Jonah: Running from God

Pastor just started a series on the book of Jonah. His idea is that we are Jonah, our times are like Jonah's, and most importantly, our God is like Jonah's. This first Sunday, the point was that our disobedience is like Jonah's: we all have run from God.

So it got me thinking. Jonah's disobedience was an odd disobedience. He could have just refused to go to Nineveh. Instead he chose to actively fight against God: he not only rejected God's command but he also “twisted the knife” by running. Why? Was this his personality or an indication of his cultural perspective or…

Related to the above, why would a prophet of God leave Israel, the place where God’s name dwelled? Was it getting too “hot” for him, so he had to bolt in order to flee God’s “presence”? It is interesting that what Jonah prophesied about in 2 Kings 14 is of a nationalistic bent – the expansion of the Israeli border. It is reasonable to see Jonah’s recorded and fulfilled prophecy and Operation Nineveh not being compatible.

As pastor mentioned, I am like Jonah in my ability to rationalize. What guardrails do I have in my life to protect me from the ditch of rationalization? Who are those barriers? What are they saying?

Missions and Suffering

We must be careful when we say, "God has a wonderful plan for your life." God does have a wonderful plan, and you can be part of that plan, but it may not be wonderful for you.

-- Charles Price, Pastor
The Peoples Church, Toronto, Canada
CrossGlobal Link: Mission Moment 1-4-11