Jonah Part III: Image

    Matthew 10:28 (NASB)- "Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." 

    Jonah was upset with the Lord because he knew the Lord's characteristics would make him look foolish in front of many. What do I mean when I say this? Jonah literally told on himself and the reason why he ran from the Lord and his responsibility. "Therefore, in order to forestall this I fled to Tarshish, for I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, and one who relents concerning calamity"-Jonah 4: 2b, NASB. Jonah knew there was a possibility that God would not do (at least currently) what He wanted Jonah to proclaim to many. 

    Jonah was concerned more with his image and how this would make him look, rather than the lesson that the Lord was trying to get across to him. Are you willing to look foolish for Christ? Are you willing to step out on faith and just do what God has asked knowing the initial feelings may sting? God has a bigger purpose and plan in the scheme of things if we just give Him a chance to show us. Why can't we be obedient in the few steps God has given us, knowing that He'll lead and guide us during the process? The root problem that was revealed to me while reading chapter four of Jonah was the issue of our image. 

    Instead of thinking about the image of Christ, most of us are worried about the image of the world and how best to fit into the mold. No! This thought always brings me back to the saying, "How can you fit in if you were made to stand out?" Matthew 5:14 (NASB)- "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden." We always perceive light as beautiful to us, but this light-representation of Christ is not  so beautiful from the world's perspective who're not looking or have a hunger for Jesus. This light can be considered offensive, out of the ordinary, and may even attract some negative attention, but that 's the risk we as believers should be willing to take. If Jesus attracted a mixture of responses and attention, who are we to think we won't attract the same? "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light"- Matthew 11:29-30, NASB. I could care less what the world says. What does God say? 

    The lesson the Lord was trying to get across to Jonah and all of us, is that if we are too concerned with keeping the image we have set up for ourselves, then our decisions and outlook on life will be distorted. No longer will we be viewing from the eyes of the Lord but from the world. Pure doctrine and actions will be distorted because we are so focused on maintaining a certain image just enough to "get by" in the world. However, for those who are just trying to "get by", don't you find it harder and harder to accept the things of this world? Things are pulling further and further away from God's Word. How far are you willing to go until you finally say, "No more! I'm tired of accepting the things that are so obviously demonic and against the Word of God! I am tired of even entertaining the thought of what doesn't belong to the Lord!" 

    Another lesson God was trying to instill in Jonah, was the message of grace. In the Lord's communication with Jonah, He was telling him to have compassion on the people of Ninevah...God's creation. If God is able to have compassion on people who out-right disrespected Him by worshipping other gods, how much more could Jonah have compassion on those in which he did not create or even interact with? We should extend the same grace to others as the Lord did to the Ninevites, regardless of how foolish it may look to the outsiders looking in. 1 John 4:20 (NASB)- "If someone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen." 

**Prayer Time! 🙏- Thank you Jesus, thank you Father, thank you Holy Spirit. Thank you for moving us outside of ourselves, outside of our flesh and gracing us to walk in the Spirit. For your word says if we walk by the Spirit, we shall not carry out the desires of the flesh (Gal 5:16, NASB), and so let us continue to walk in the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,  and self-control (Gal 5:22, NASB). God, we repent if there be any selfish desires of our hearts; remove them Lord and create in us a clean heart for You to work with. Lord, clear us from the inside-out so we can move how you would want us to move, talk how you would want us to talk, and look like how you would want us to look. Father, let your glory shine on your children. Let us continue to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth. We know this is an honor, but we also know, are girded with your Word, and are ready for what being the light and salt of the earth actually entails. Keep us Lord in your will and not of the worlds'. Break off any strongholds, chains, or anything else that's not like you, so we can walk ahead in your will with a clear mind and spirit. In Jesus' Name- Amen.**