Brother Jonah

I was reading this morning through the book of Jonah. Now there's a character we can all relate to. We don't like to admit it, but we all act like Jonah from time to time. Here are some ways we often resemble the prophet:

1. We run from God. - We're serving God. Things are going well. We're doing His work, and everyone is happy. Then, God gives us an unpleasant task. We don't want to do it. After all, we're busy doing other things for Him. So, we ignore His command. We turn and run the other way.

2. We fool ourselves into thinking that we're going to get away with our disobedience - Notice how "at ease" Jonah was. He got on a ship, went down below, and fell asleep. In fact, he was still sleeping during the terrible storm. One of the sailors had to wake him up. He was able to rest because he thought he had successfully hidden himself from God. He thought he was home free. He thought he had gotten away with his disobedience. We often do the same. We go along like everything is fine, knowing full well that we're not where we're supposed to be. But, since God let us off the path, He'll let us stay there, right? WRONG!

3. We adjust our attitude when God gets our attention - It didn't take Jonah very long to get a serious attitude adjustment. Nope, by the beginning of chapter two, he's already praying and apologizing. Sometimes, God has to get our attention too. We don't like it, but it doesn't usually take very long before we're whistling a different tune. Jonah had a such a "kick in the pants" that he made a three-day journey in just one day after the whale spat him out.

4. We get mad when God doesn't do what we think He should do - Jonah delivered God's message to the Ninevites. He told them that Ninevah was going to be overthrown because God was unhappy with their wickedness, and the people actually listened. They repented. They turned their hearts to God. Isn't that wonderful? Not to Jonah. Jonah actually got angry with God because He didn't destroy the city. Nice guy, huh? What it boils down to is that Jonah didn't get his way. God didn't do what Jonah thought was best, and Jonah got mad. We do the same thing, don't we? We show God our little blueprint that we've designed and then spit fire when He doesn't follow it.

5. We throw very nice pity parties - Jonah was so upset with God that He actually asked God to just let him die. You can almost hear the unspoken statement, "If you're not going to do it my way, why am I even here?" Yes, Jonah was an excellent pity party host. But, alas, so are we. We fuss and pout when things don't go our way. We get it in our heads that nobody loves us and that nothing ever goes right for us. Poor pitiful us!

6. We are dealt with by a very patient Father - God didn't have to explain to Jonah why he spared the city of Ninevah, but He did. He gave Him an object lesson that I'm sure Jonah never forgot. He could have given Jonah his wish. He could have killed him. But, He didn't. He dealt with him in a loving and patient manner, as He does with us, giving us what we need and not necessarily what we want.

So, the next time you read through the book of Jonah, don't be too hard on him. We're not any better. We make the same mistakes, but thankfully, we know the same God who will forgive us, pick us up, and set us on the right path again. (Just pray you never have to see the inside of a whale!)

Activate Your Faith

Activate your faith.  What a simple, yet profound statement.  I heard it proclaimed yesterday at a ladies' meeting.  The speaker spoke of how the phrase changed her life, and in the moments after she said it, I realized it was going to change mine as well.

I had always compared my faith to an automatic function like that of the adrenal gland.  The adrenal gland is the part of the body that senses danger or excitement and automatic activates to send the body into "fight or flight" mode.  You know -- adrenaline rush.  This process is not something we have to think about.  When being confronted by a frightening situation, we don't have to tell our hearts to beat faster.  It just happens.  It's a reaction.  It works the way God intended for it to work.   It's our bodies' automatic response.

Faith is not like that at all, and until yesterday, I hadn't really thought about it.  To be honest, I've often felt that I must be the lousiest believer on planet earth because every time stormy circumstances come my way, I find myself running for cover instead of braving the winds.  Faith?  What faith?  Why can't I be like Paul who boldly said, "Infirmities.  Persecutions.  Trials.  Bring it on.  It's no big deal"?  What? Are you insane?  Of course it's a big deal.

But now I understand the difference between Paul and myself.  Paul activated his faith; I've merely been waiting for mine to automatically kick in.  It just doesn't work that way.  Activating our faith takes time, effort and a willingness to be uncomfortable for a little while.  Activating our faith requires us to study, memorize and claim God's promises.  It requires us to be on guard against the deadly darts of the devil such as destructive thoughts and attitudes, "little sins", and feelings of envy or bitterness.  It requires a conscious decision of "No, I will not give in.  No, I'm not running this time."  And it requires us to give up the reigns.  We must stop trying to live our lives by our plans and agendas, and must instead completely surrender to God.  (I never said this would be easy!)

Activate your faith.  It doesn't work on auto-pilot.  And the process will not be an easy one.  But I guarantee you this:  it will be rewarding!

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. - Hebrews 11:6

The Answers To Life - Ron Pearson

This is one of the coolest things I have ever seen. The clip is just over three minutes long, but I promise you it is worth your time.

Is That You Final Answer?

Yesterday, I had some errands to run in the morning, so I wasn't able to walk the dogs until after lunch.  As usual, I planned to walk them separately.  Mitch has only one speed, which is "turbo" and Tippy, at eleven years of age, is passed on the road by crippled snails.  It's just too frustrating to try to walk them together.  So, I grabbed the leash, headed out the door with Mitch and was almost to the road when I heard the most pitiful sound in the world. 

What is that? I wondered as I stopped to figure out where the sound was coming from.  It didn't take long for me to figure out that the cries were coming from my house.  I don't know what was up, but Tippy was pitching a royal fit.  Not an angry fit, but she sounded like she was dying.  It was the most heart-wrenching sound I've ever heard in my life.  I debated what to do, and after one more pitiful howl, I turned Mitch around, went back in the house and grabbed the second leash.

Unsurprisingly, the short walk was unpleasant for all of us.  The pace was too slow for Mitch, too fast for Tippy, and my arms now resemble Gumby's because of being pulled first this way then that.  By the time we got back home, I was frustrated and wondering why I didn't just ignore Tippy.  I knew she was okay.  I knew she wasn't hurt.  And furthermore, I knew each of us would have had a much more enjoyable and profitable walk if I had not given in to her wailing. 

Aren't you glad that God loves us enough that He doesn't always give us what we want?  Aren't you thankful that He watches out for us enough that He doesn't give in to our whines and cries.  "But God, I want this."  To which He replies, "No you don't, child.  You just think you do.  But if you knew where that would lead, you wouldn't ask for it.  I do know where it will lead, and that's why I won't let you have it."

One of the things that made me turn back and get Tippy was the myriad of thoughts running through my head.  What if she doesn't understand that this is for her best?  What if she thinks I'm leaving her behind?  What if she thinks we're not coming back?  What if she thinks I don't love her because I'm not taking her first?  It sounds silly, I know, but I've had those thoughts toward God, only in reverse.  At times, when God wouldn't answer a prayer in the way I wanted Him to, I felt angry and unloved.  I didn't understand that it was for my best.  I only thought He had forsaken me or was ignoring my cries.  Once the "crisis" was over, and I was seeing things clearly, I realized the stupidity of my thoughts.  But in the midst of what seems like unanswered prayers, it's easy to be overwhelmed by doubts and despair.

Yesterday, I did not act in Tippy's best interest by giving in to her cries.  Not only did I ruin her walk, but I ruined it for Mitch and myself as well.  Besides that, I've set the standard:  you whine, I come running.  And that is not going to work!  She will just have to trust that I know what's best for her.  As for me, I must remember that a loving "parent" doesn't give in because of protests and complaints.  No, a loving "parent" holds firm, even when the child is accusatory and angry, because the parent loves the child and wants what's best for him or her.  Just as my heavenly Father does for me.

Thank you, Lord, for loving me enough to not give me everything I think I want!

Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle. - Psalm 28:2

How Did I Get Here?

For our weekly date last week, Jason took me to the zoo.  Now I know some of you are thinking, The zoo?  That's for kids.  Well, I'm just a kid at heart, plus I'm an animal lover.  My husband also knows that as many times as I've been to the zoo, the majority of those times were with 15 to 25 five-year olds in tow.  Yes, as a kindergarten teacher, I always planned a trip to the zoo for my students each spring.  Anyway, this was a chance for me to go and actually enjoy the trip at my own pace.  I got to see all the animals.  I was able to stop and read the information plaques.  It was great!

One of the most fascinating things I learned that day was that the mother giraffe gives birth standing up.  That means the baby falls headfirst anywhere from six to ten feet upon emerging from his mother's womb.  Talk about a wake-up call!

A couple of days after our trip, I read an account of a man who was able to witness the miraculous event of the birth of a giraffe.  Sure enough, the baby emerged headfirst and fell to the ground in a crumpled heap.  The mother turned her head to look at her newborn and then did the strangest thing -- she kicked it hard enough to send it sprawling across the ground.

"What was that about?" the man asked in concern.

The zookeeper smiled and replied, "She wants him to get up."

Sure enough the baby struggled to rise to its feet, but its wobbly legs just wouldn't cooperate.  And so, the mother kicked it again and again until finally the young one rose in triumph on unsteady legs.  As he steadied, he looked to his mother, who once again kicked him to the ground.

"Why did she do that?  He was standing." the man cried.

"She wants him to remember how he got up," the zookeeper replied.

As I read this account, I couldn't stop the tears from flowing.  It had been one of those weeks where I felt like I just couldn't stand.  And every time I was close to rising, it seemed as if something (or someone) kicked me down again.  No matter how hard I tried to get my feet under me, I just couldn't find the strength to stand.

But this story made me look inside myself and ask, "How did I get up before?  What helped me out of this pit last time?  I know I've been down and out where I just couldn't stand, but I've always found the strength eventually.  Now if I can just remember how I did it."  And with those thoughts came memories of God's goodness and faithfulness in my life.  And before I realized what was happening, I was not only standing, but I was singing.

When life gets you down, don't wallow in the dirt.  Instead, focus your thoughts and memories on how God helped you in the past and trust that He will help you again.  He, too, wants us to remember how we got up the last time.  May we never forget His goodness!

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. - Psalm 103:2