Pastor Tricia's Ramblings

Are You Running from God’s Call? Lessons from Jonah

In our spiritual journeys, we often find ourselves in moments that challenge our faith and our willingness to embrace God’s calling. The story of Jonah is a powerful illustration of how our reactions to God’s call can mirror our own struggles, revealing the complex emotions that can lead us to flee rather than follow.

The Call to Nineveh

When God called Jonah to deliver a message to the people of Nineveh, he was faced with a task he wanted nothing to do with. The Assyrians, known for their brutality, were not people Jonah felt deserved mercy. He didn’t see them as potential recipients of God’s grace; rather, he harbored anger and prejudice that drove him to flee in the opposite direction.
Just like Jonah, many of us are presented with calls that challenge our comfort zones. Whether it’s reaching out to someone we find difficult, taking a stand for justice, or simply sharing our faith, our initial reaction can be avoidance. We often let our fear, bias, or past hurts dictate our response.

Hiding from God

Jonah’s attempt to escape God’s call by boarding a ship to Tarshish ultimately led him to a fierce storm. Despite his efforts to run away, Jonah learned the hard way that we cannot hide from God. When faced with the chaos of the storm, he had to confront the reality of his disobedience.
Are there “storms” in your life that are the result of running away from God? Maybe you’re feeling restless, anxious, or guilty. These feelings might be signs that you are steering clear of God’s call. Just like Jonah, we may think we can outrun our responsibilities or challenges, but they often come crashing down around us.

The Power of Surrender

It wasn’t until Jonah found himself in the belly of a great fish that he began to reflect on his actions. In that stillness, amidst his dark circumstances, Jonah chose to surrender. He prayed and ultimately accepted his mission. His heart began to soften, and he recognized God’s mercy for all, even for those he deemed unworthy.
Surrendering to God’s call requires introspection. We must confront our own biases, fears, and limitations. Are there areas in your life where anger or resentment is keeping you from answering God’s call? It’s essential to deal with these feelings instead of letting them guide your decisions.

Embracing the Mission

Once Jonah finally went to Nineveh, he delivered God’s message, and to his surprise, the people repented. This highlights an important lesson: God desires mercy over judgment, not just for the people we love but for those we struggle to understand. Our calling might align with healing relationships, offering forgiveness, or speaking truth in difficult situations.
When we embrace God’s call, we open ourselves up to transform lives—our own and those around us. Like Jonah, our journeys don’t always go according to our plans, but if we allow God to work through us, the results can be greater than we could ever imagine.

Reflection

As we reflect on Jonah’s story, let’s challenge ourselves to identify where we are running from God’s call. Are we letting past hurts dictate our decisions? Are we allowing our anger to compromise our mission?
Today, I encourage you to take a moment to pray and seek clarity on God’s call in your life. Consider these questions:

• What is God asking of me right now?
• Are there biases or fears I need to confront?
• How can I be a vessel for His message of love and forgiveness?

It’s never too late to surrender and embrace what God has for you. Remember: Like Jonah, we can always turn back and start anew, bringing light into a world that desperately needs it.