Jonah Part I: Opportunity

     If you know the story of Jonah, then you know his story of disobedience, being swallowed by a big fish , and then having another opportunity to "keep his word" to the Lord by doing what he was told to do initially. I was lead to speak on Jonah in a three-part series. I'm finding it hard to narrow it down to just three messages, but here we go. 

    The whole book of Jonah was made out of his disobedience and attempt to run from the Lord and his responsibilities. This reminds me of Ezra 10:4, NASB "Arise! For this matter is your responsibility, but we will be with you; be courageous and act." This was Jonah's responsibility, the Lord was with him, and he just needed the courage and action. Jonah's story can also lead to Joshua 1: 9, NASB and so much more, but I digress. 

    While "running" from the Lord, Jonah ran into an opportunity to be a witness of God's Word in the midst of trial. When the Lord started the great storm on the sea, the men on the ship started to call on their gods. Seeing that this was to no avail, they approached Jonah (sleeping by the way) to see if he would call on his God to do something about this storm. These men were desperate and afraid. They had already thrown out their cargo and didn't know what else to do. What a perfect opportunity for Jonah to assure them of who God is and what He's capable of doing! However, Jonah was literally sleeping on the job and had his own agenda, which we'll talk about in another blog. His disobedience and personal reasons for running clouded his chance to be a witness for the Lord.

    Doesn't this sound familiar if we can be honest? When God gives us a task to do, are we always obedient? Furthermore, in the midst of our disobedience, do we find the moral of the story? Do we miss the opportunity, looking outside of our flesh, to convey what God is doing even if He is doing it to you as well? Jonah eventually told the men what was going on, but only because it was revealed to them by the casting of lots. He was, dare I say, still selfish in the fact that a message of disobedience, humility, etc could have been shared regardless of how he might have felt at that moment or his personal reasons. The story would have probably gone in a different direction if Jonah recognized his faults and immediately have been obedient. 

    Even when we've gone left (rather than right) are we humble enough to die to self, learn from our disobedience, and push through to see the lesson for others who might find themselves in this situation? "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh,"-Galatians 5:16, NASB. Jonah literally had the Lord speaking to him mono-y-mono, but he purposefully disobeyed. The opportunity to be a witness is always present...even in the midst of our noncompliance. Can you find the strength God has given you to be the positive fruit in someone's life, even when yours isn't going well because of your waywardness? Can you teach your lesson while going through it? Be the living testimony! Jonah had the perfect opportunity to be witness through his experience, if only he realized the lesson during the storm. What the sailors saw might have been somewhat of a good lesson, but what would have been better would've been Jonah's revelation from the matter. 

**Let's pray 🙏: Dear Lord, thank you that you give us opportunities to be witnesses through the storm, and even our own disobedience to you. Renew our minds Father that we don't fall into disobedience, but always walk according to your Spirit for our guidance. Thank you Lord that you have given us the strength, courage, and humility to share our faults with others to encourage and instill fruit in others' lives. Thank you for the revelation you have even given us by the experiences you allow us to go through because of our disobedience. Lord, we repent of anything we have done that falls outside of your will. Forgive us for the mess we may have caused, but the lesson that it will teach. Let our lives be a living example to those who've went wayward and think all hope is lost concerning their situation. Let our lives scream that you have not given up on them yet! Father, I thank you that we will not miss the opportunity to pour into someone else's life, even at the risk of our own self image. In the name of Jesus-Amen.**

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